B,  C.  CARROLL 


ESSAYS: 


FEAI^OIS    BACOI^, 

Baron  of  Vkrulam,  Viscount  St.   Alban's,  and  Lord  High 
Chancellor  of  Encslamo. 


WITH  NOTES  BY  JOSEPH  DEVEY,  M.A. 


NEW  YORK: 
JOHN    B.    ALOEN,   PUBLISHER. 

1885. 


THOW'8 
raiNTma  AND  AOOKBINOING  COMPAHT, 


CONTENTS. 


29. 


Of  Truth 5 

Of  Death 9 

Of  Unity  In  Religion 12 

Of  Revenge 18 

Of  Adversity 20 

Of  Simulation  and  Dissim- 
ulation     'J2 

Of  Parents  and  Children..    26 
Of    Marriage    and    Single 

Life 23 

Of  Envy 30 

Of  Love 86 

Of  Great  Place 39 

Of  Boldness 43 

Of    Goodness,   and    Good- 
ness of  Nature 45 

Of  Nobility 49 

Of  Seditious  and  Troubles.    51 

Of  Atheism CI 

Of  Superstition 65 

Of  Travel 63 

Of  Empire TO 

Of  Counsel... 77 

Of  Delays 63 

Of  Cunning 85 

Of   Wisdom   for  a    Slan's 

Self 90 

Of  Innovations 92 

Of  Despatch 93 

Of  Seeming  Wise 95 

Of  Friendship 97 

Of  Expense 108 

Of  The  True  Greatness  of 
Klagdoms  and  Estates.  106 


30.  Of  Regimen  of  Health 119 

31.  Of  Suspicion 121 

32.  Of  Discourse 12S 

33.  Of  Plantations 125 

34.  Of  Riches 129 

Sri.  Of  Prophecies 1$) 

36.  Of  Ambition 133 

37.  Of  Masques  and  Triumphs.  140 
38  Of  Nature  In  Men 142 

39.  Of  Custom  and  Education.  144 

40.  Of  Fortune 146 

41.  Of  Usury 149 

42.  Of  Youth  and  Age 153 

43.  Of  Beauty 156 

44.  Of  Deformity.. „ 157 

45.  Of  Building IC. 

46.  Of  Gardens iCd 

47.  Of  Negotiating iV.i 

48.  Of  Followers  and  iirieniU;..  i'i'"' 

49.  Of  Suitors l',G 

50.  Of  Studies m 

51.  Of  Faction 180 

52.  Of    Ceremonies    r.nd    Re- 

spects  182 

53.  Of  Praise 184 

54.  Of  Vain  C.oiy 188 

55.  Of  Hon:>r  an<",  .^putatlon.  188 

56.  Of  Juaicati-v!. 191 

5T.  Of  .A.iT- 197 

58.  Of  Vicissitude  of  Things...  199 
Fi-agment    of    an    Essay    of 

Fame 206 

An  Essay  of  a  King 208 

On  Death ....  •*** 


2075482 


BACON'S   ESSAYS. 


I.— OF  TRUTH. 

What  Is  trutli?  said  jesting  Pilate;*  and  would  not 
slay  for  an  answer.  Certainly  there  be  that  delight  iu 
giddiness;  and  count  it  a  bondage  to  fi.\  a  belief;  aflfect 
ing  free-will  iu  thinking,  as  well  as  in  acting.  And 
though  the  seels  of  philosopliers  of  that  kind  be  gone, 
yet  there  remain  certain  discoursing  wils,  which  are  of 
the  same  veins,  thougli  there  be  not  so  much  blood  in 
them  as  was  in  those  of  the  ancients.  But  it  is  not  only 
the  difficulty  and  labor  which  men  take  in  finding  out 
of  truth;  nor  again,  tliat  when  it  is  found,  it  imposeth 
upon  men's  thoughts,  that  doth  bring  lies  in  favor;  but 
a  natural  though  corrupt  love  of  the  lie  itself.  One  of 
the  later  schools  f  of  the  Grecians  examiueth  the  matter, 
and  is  at  a  stand  to  tiiiuk  what  should  be  in  it,  that  men 
should  love  lies;  where  neither  they  make  for  pleasure, 
as  with  poets;  nor  for  advantage,  as  with  the  merchant, 
but  for  the  lie's  sake.     But  I  cannot  tell:   this  same 


*  He  refers  to  the  following  passage  in  the  Gospel  of  St.  John, 
xviii.  aS:  "Pilate  saith  unto  him.  What  is  truth?  And  when  he 
ha<l  said  this,  he  went  out  again  unto  the  Jews,  and  saith  unto 
them,  I  flu<l  iu  him  no  fault  at  all." 

+  He  probably  refers  to  the  "  New  Academy,"  a  sect  of  Greek 
philosophers,  one  of  whose  moot  questions  was,  "  What  is  truUi?" 
Upon  which  they  came  to  the  imsatisfaetory  conclusion  that  man- 
kind has  no  critcriou  by  which  to  form  a  judgment. 


8  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

this  prospect  be  with  pity,  and  not  with  swelling  oi 
pride.  Certainly,  it  is  heaven  upon  earth,  to  have  a 
man's  mind  move  iu  charity,  rest  in  providence,  and" 
turn  upon  tlie  poles  of  truth. 

To  pass  from  theological  and  pliilosophical  truth  to 
the  truth  of  civil  business;  it  will  be  acknowledged 
even  by  those  that  practise  it  not,  that  clear  and  round 
dealing  is  the  honor  of  man's  nature,  and  that  mixture 
of  falsehood  is  like  alloy  in  coin  of  gold  and  silver, 
which  may  make  the  metal  work  the  better,  but  it 
embaseth  it.  For  these  winding  and  crooked  courses 
are  the  goings  of  the  serpent;  whicli  goeth  basely  upon 
the  belly,  and  not  upon  the  feet.  There  is  no  vice  that 
doth  so  cover  a  man  with  shame  as  to  be  found  false  and 
perfidious;  and  therefore  Montaigne*  saith  prettily, 
when  he  inquired  tlie  reason  why  the  word  of  the  lie 
should  be  such  a  disgrace,  and  such  an  odious  charge, 
saith  he,  "If  it  be  well  weighed,  to  say  that  a  man 
lieth,  is  as  much  as  to  say  tiiat  he  is  brave  towards  God 


the  plains,  without  a  share  in  the  danger:  but  nothing  is  there 
more  delightful  than  to  occupy  the  elevated  temples  of  the  wise, 
well  fortified  by  tranquil  learning,  whence  you  may  be  able  to 
look  down  upon  others,  and  see  them  straying  in  every  direction, 
and  wandering  in  search  of  the  path  of  life." 

*  Michael  de  Montaigne,  the  celebrated  French  essayist.  His 
Essays  embrace  a  variety  of  topics,  which  are  treated  in  a 
sprightly  and  entertaining  manner,  and  are  replete  with  remarks 
indicative  of  strong  native  good  sense.  He  died  in  1592.  The 
following  quotation  is  from  the  second  book  of  tlie  Essays,  c.  18: 
— "  Lying  is  a  disgraceful  vice,  and  one  that  Plutarch,  an  ancient 
writer,  paints  in  most  disgraceful  colors,  when  he  says  that  it  is 
'affording  testimony  that  one  first  despises  God,  and  then  fears 
men:'  it  is  not  possible  more  happily  to  describe  its  horrible,  dis- 
gusting, and  abandoned  nature:  for  can  we  imagine  anything 
more  vile  than  to  be  cowards  with  regard  to  men,  and  brave  with 
regard  to  God?" 


OF  DEA1  I 

and  a  coward  towards  men.  For  a  lie  faces  Goa,  ana 
shrinks  from  nwui;"  surely  tl»e  wickedness  of  falsehood 
and  breach  of  faith  cannot  possibly  be  so  highly  ex- 
pressed, as  in  that  it  shall  be  the  last  peal  to  call  the 
judgments  of  God  upon  the  generations  of  men:  it  being 
foretold,  that,  when  "  Christ  conieth,"he  shall  not  "find 
faith  upon  the  earth."  * 


II.— OF  DEATH,  t 

Men  fear  death  as  children  fear  to  go  in  the  dark;  and 
as  that  natural  fear  in  children  is  increased  with  tales, 
so  is  the  other.  Certainly,  the  contemplation  of  death, 
as  the  wages  of  sin,  and  passage  to  another  world,  is 
holy  and  religious;  but  the  fear  of  it,  as  a  tribute  due 
unto  nature,  is  weak.  Yet  in  religious  meditations 
there  is  sometimes  mixture  of  vanity  and  of  supersti- 
tion. You  shall  read  in  some  of  the  friars'  books  of 
mortification,  that  a  man  should  think  with  himself, 
what  the  pain  is,  if  he  have  but  his  finger's  end  pressed 
or  tortured;  and  thereby  imagine  what  the  pains  of  death 
are,  when  the  whole  body  is  corrupted  and  dissolved; 
when  many  times  death  passeth  with  less  pain  than  the 
torture  of  a  limb;  for  the  most  vital  parts  are  not  the 
quickest  of  sense.  And  by  him  that  spake  onl^'  as  a 
philosopher,  and  natural  man.  it  was  well  said,  "  Pompa 
mortis  magis  terret  quam  mors  ipsa.  "^  Groans  and 
-I — — .  . 

*  St.  Luke  xviii.  8:  "  Nevertheless,  .when  the  Son  of  man 
Cometh,  shall  he  And  faith  upon  the  earth?" 

t  "  A  portion  of  this  Essay  is  borrowed  from  the  writings  of 
Seneca.    Se,e  his  Lett»rs  to  liHoilins,  B.  iv.  Ep.  24  and  82. 

f'The  array  of  the  death-bed  has  more  terrors  than  death 
Itaelf."    This  quotation  is  from  Seneca. 


10  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

convulsions,  and  a  discolored  face,  and  friends  weep- 
ing, and  blacks  *  and  obsequies,  and  the  like,  show 
death  terrible.  It  is  worthy  the  observing,  that  there  is 
no  passion  in  the  mind  of  man  so  weak,  but  it  mates 
and  masters  the  fear  of  death;  and  therefore  death  is  no 
such  terrible  enemy  when  a  man  hath  so  many  attend- 
ants about  him  that  can  win  the  combat  of  him.  Re- 
venge triumphs  over  death;  love  slights  it;  honor 
aspirelh  to  it;  grief  flieth  to  it;  fear  pre-occupatelh  it; 
nay,  we  read,  after  Otlio  the  emperor  had  slain  himself, 
pity  (which  is  the  tenderest  of  affections)  provoked 
many  to  die  out  of  mere  compassion  to  their  sovereign, 
and  iis  the  truest  sort  of  followers.  Xay,  Seneca  adds, 
niceness  and  satiety:  "  Cogita  quamdiu  eadem  feceris; 
raori  velle,  nou  tantum  fortis,  aut  miser,  sed  etiam 
fastidiosus  potest."  f  A  man  would  die,  though  he  were 
neither  valiant  nor  miserable,  only  upon  a  weariness  to 
do  the  same  thing  so  oft  over  and  over.  It  is  no  less 
worthy  to  observe,  how  little  alteration  in  good  spirits 
the  approaches  of  death  make:  for  they  appear  lobe  the 
same  men  till  the  last  instant.  Augustus  Ciesar  died  in 
a  compliment;  "Livia,  conjugii  nostri  mcmor,  vive  et 
vale.":f  Tiberius  in  dissimulation,  as  Tacitus  sailh  of 
him,  "Jam  Tiberium  vires  tt  corpus,  uon  dissimula- 
tio,  deserebaut :"  §  Vespasian  in  a  jest,  sitting  upon  the 


*  He  probably  alludes  to  the  custom  of  hanging  the  room  iu 
black  where  the  body  of  the  deceased  lay.  a  pi-actice  much  more 
usual  in  Bacon's  time  than  at  the  present  day. 

+  "  Reflect  how  often  you  do  the  same  things ;  a  man  may 
wish  to  die.  not  only  because  either  he  is  brave  or  wretched,  but 
even  because  he  is  surfeited  with  life." 

{  "  Lfvia,  mindful  of  our  union,  live  on.  and  fare  thee  well." 

S  "  His  bodily  strength  and  vjtftlity  were  now  forsaking  TIW 
rius.  but  not  his  duplicity." 


OF  DEATH.  11 

stool,*  "  Ut  puto  Deus  fio:"t  Galba  with  a  senteuce, 
"Feri,  si  ex  re  sit  popiili  Romaui,":):  holding  fortli  his 
neck;  Septimus  Severus  Iq  dispatch,  "  Adeste,  si  quid 
mihi  reslat  agendum,"  §  au.1  the  like.  Certainly  the 
Stoics  I  bestowed  too  much  cost  upon  death,  aud  by 
their  great  preparations  made  it  appear  more  fearful. 
Better,  sailh  he,  "  qui  flnera  vitaB  extremum  iutermuaera 
ponit  naturae."^  It  is  as  natural  to  die  a  sto  be  born; 
and  to  a  little  infant,  perhaps,  the  one  is  as  painful  as 
the  other.  He  that  dies  in  an  earnest  pursuit,  is  like 
one  that  is  wounded  in  hot  blood;  who,  for  the  time, 
scarce  feels  the  hurt;  and  therefore  a  mind  fixed  aud 
bent  upon  somewhat  that  is  good,  doth  avert  the  dolors 
of  death;  but,  above  all,  believe  it,  the  sweetest  canticle 
is  "  Nuncdimittis,"  **  when  a  man  hath  obtained  worthy 


*  This  was  said  as  a  reproof  to  his  flatterers,  and  in  spirit  is  not 
unlike  the  rebuke  administered  by  Canute  to  his  retinue. 

+  "  I  am  become  a  Divinity.  I  suppose." 

X  "  If  it  be  for  tlie  advantage  of  the  Roman  people,  strike." 

§  "  If  auglit  remains  to  be  done  by  me.  dispatch." 

!)  Thes3  were  the  followers  of  iJeno,  a  philosopher  of  Citium,  in 
Cyprus,  who  founded  the  Stoic  school,  or  "  School  of  the  Portico," 
at  Athens.  The  basis  of  his  doctrines  was  the  duty  of  making 
virtue  the  object  of  all  our  researches.  According  to  him,  the 
pleasures  of  the  mind  were  preferable  to  those  of  the  body,  and 
his  disciples  were  taught  to  view  with  indifference  liealth  or 
sickne.s.s,  riches  or  poverty,  pain  or  pleasure. 

I  "  Who  reckons  the  close  of  his  life  among  the  boons  of 
nature."  Lord  Bacon  here  quotes  from  memory  ;  the  passage 
is  in  the  tenth  Satire  of  Juve.ial,  and  runs  thus  : 

"Fortem  po.sce  animuni,  mortis  teiTore  carenteni, 
Qui  spatium  vit£E  extremum  inter  munera  ponat 
Nature" 

"Pray  for  strong  resolve,  void  of  the  fear  of  death,  that 
reckons  the  closing  perio<l  of  life  among  the  boons  of  nature." 

♦•  He  alludes  to  the  song  of  Simeon,  to  whom  the  Holy  Ghost 


13  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

ends  ami  expectations.  Death  hath  this  also,  that  it 
openeth  the  gate  to  good  fame,  and  extinguisheth  envy; 
"  Extinctus  amabitur  idem."  * 

III.— OF  UNITY  IX  RELIGION. 

Religiox  being  the  chief  band  of  human  society,  it 
is  a  happy  thing  when  itself  is  well  contained  within 
the  true  band  of  unity.  The  quarrels  and  division! 
about  religion  were  evils  unknown  to  the  heathen.  The 
reason  was,  because  the  religion  of  the  heathen  con- 
sisted rather  in  rites  and  ceremonies,  tlian  in  any  con- 
stant belief;  for  you  may  imagine  what  kind  of  faith 
theirs  was,  when  the  chief  doctors  and  fathers  of  tljeir 
church  were  the  poets.  But  the  true  God  hath  this 
attribute,  that  he  is  a  jealous  God;  and  therefore  his 
worship  and  religion  will  endure  no  mixture  nor  partner. 
Wc  shall  therefore  speak  a  few  words  concerning  the 
uuily  of  the  church;  what  are  the  fruits  thereof;  what 
the  bounds;  and  what  the  means. 

The  fruits  of  unity  (next  unto  the  well-pleasing  of 
God,  which  is  all  in  all)  are  two;  the  one  towards  those 
that  are  without  the  church,  the  other  towards  those 
tliat  are  wiihin.  For  the  former,  it  is  certain,  that 
heresies  and  schisms  are  of  all  others  the  greatest  scan- 
dals; yea,  more  than  corruption  of  manners;  for  as  in 
the  natural  body  a  wound  or  solution  of  continuity  is 


had  revealed  "  that  he  should  not  see  death  before  he  had  seen 
the  Lord's  Christ."  When  he  beheld  the  Infant  Jesus  in  the 
Temple,  he  took  the  child  in  his  arms  and  tiiirst  forth  into  a  song 
of  thanksgiving,  commencing.  "Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy 
servant  depart  in  peace,  according  to  thy  word,  for  mine  eyes 
have  seen  thy  salvation."— St.  Luke  ii.  5!9. 

*  "  When  dead,  the  same  person  shall  be  beloved." 


OF  UNITY  IN  RELIGION.  13 

worse  tban  a  corrupt  humor,  so  iu  the  spiritual :  so  that 
nothing  doth  so  much  keep  men  out  of  the  church,  and 
drive  men  out  of  the  church,  as  breach  of  unity;  and 
therefore  whensoever  it  conutli  to  that  pass  that  one 
aiith,  "Ecce  iu  Deserto,"*  another  saith,  "Ecce  in 
penetralibus;"f  tliat  is,  when  some  men  seek  Christ  in 
the  conventicles  of  heretics,  and  others  in  an  outward 
face  of  a  church,  that  voice  had  need  continually  to 
sound  in  men's  ears,  "nolite  exire," — "go  not  out." 
The  doctor  of  the  Gentiles  (the  propriety  of  whose 
vocation  drew  him  to  have  a  special  care  of  those  with- 
out) saith,  "  If  a  heathen  X  come  in,  and  hear  you  speak 
with  several  tongues,  will  he  not  say  that  you  are 
mad?"  and,  certainly,  it  is  little  belter:  when  atheists 
and  profane  persons  do  hear  of  so  many  discordant  and 
contrary  opinions  in  religion,  it  doth  avert  them  from 
the  church,  and  maketh  them  "  to  sit  down  in  the  chair 
of  the  scornei-s."  §  It  is  but  a  light  thing  to  be  vouched 
in  so  serious  a  matter,  but  yet  it  expresseth  well  the 
deformity.  There  is  a  master  of  scoffing  that  in  his 
catalogue  of  books  of  a  feigned  library  sets  down  this 
title  of  a  book,  "The  Morris- Dance |  of  Heretics:"  for, 


•  "  Behold,  he  is  In  the  Desert."— St.  Matthew  xxiv.  86. 

t  "Behold,  he  is  in  the  secret  chambers." — St.  Matthew  xxir. 
SO. 

X  He  alludes  to  I.  Corinthians  xiv.  23  :  "  If,  therefore,  the  whole 
church  be  come  together  into  one  place,  and  all  speak  with 
tr.ngues,  and  there  come  in  those  that  are  unlearned  or  unbe- 
lievers, will  they  not  say  that  ye  are  mad  ?" 

S  Psalm  i.  1  '*  Blessed  is  the  man  that  walketh  not  in  the 
counsel  of  the  ungodly,  nor  staudeth  in  the  way  of  sinners,  nor 
sittelh  in  the  seat  of  the  scornful." 

;  This  dance,  which  was  originally  called  the  Morisco  dance,  is 
Ruppoi^eJ  to  have  been  derived  from  the  Moors  of  Spain  ;  the 
d,.nc(.rs  in  earlier  times    blackening  their    faces   to  resemble 


14  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

indeed,  every  sect  of  them  hath  a  diverse  posture,  or 
cringe,  by  themselves,  which  cannot  but  move  derisioa 
in  wordlings  and  depraved  politicians,  who  are  apt  to 
contemn  holy  things. 

As  for  the  fruit  towards  those  that  are  within,  it  is 
peace,  which  containeth  infinite  blessings;  it  establishetli 
faith;  it  kiudlelh  ciiarity;  the  outward  peace  of  tlio 
church  distilleth  into  peace  of  conscience,  and  it 
turneth  the  labors  of  writing  and  reading  of  controver- 
sies into  treatises  of  mortification  and  devotion. 

Concerning  the  bounds  of  unity,  the  true  placing  of 
them  importelh  exceedingly.  There  appear  to  be  two 
extremes:  for  to  certain  zealots  all  speech  of  pacifica- 
tion is  odious.  "Is  it  peace,  Jehu?" — "What  hast 
thou  to  do  with  peace?  turn  thee  behind  me."*  Peace  is 
not  the  matter,  but  following  and  party.  Contrariwise, 
certain  Laodiceansf  and  lukewarm  persons  think  they 
may  accommodate  points  of  religion  by  middle  ways, 
and  taking  part  of  both,  and  witty  reconcilements,  as  if 
they  would  make  an  arbiti-ament  between  God  and  man. 
Both  these  extremes  are  to  be  avoided;  which  will  be 

Moors.  It  was  probably  a  corruption  of  the  ancient  Pyrrhic 
dance,  which  was  performed  by  men  in  armor,  and  which  is 
still  existing  in  Greece,  in  Byron's  "  Song  of  the  Greek  Cap- 
tive :" — 

"You  have  the  Pyrrhic  dance  as  yet." 

Attitude  and  gesture  formed  one  of  the  characteristics  of  tha 
dance.    It  is  still  practised  in  some  parts  of  England. 

*  II.  Kings,  ix.  18. 

t  He  alludes  to  the  words  in  Revelations,  c.  iii.  v.  14,  "  And  un- 
to the  angel  of  the  church  of  the  Laodiceans  write:  These  things 
saith  the  Amen,  the  faithful  and  true  witness,  the  beginning  of 
the  creation  of  God:  I  know  thy  works,  that  thou  art  neither 
cold  nor  hot;  I  will  spue  thee  out  of  my  month."  Laodicea  was 
a  city  of  Asia  Minor.  St.  Paul  established  the  church  there 
which  is  here  referred  to. 


OF  UNITY  IN  RELIGION.  K5 

clone  if  the  league  of  Christians,  penned  by  our  Sav- 
iour himself,  were  in  the  two  cross  clauses  thereof 
soundly  and  plainly  expounded:  **  He  that  is  not 
with  us  is  against  us;"  *  and  agajn,  "  He  that  is  not 
against  us  is  with  us;"  that  is,  if  the  points  funda- 
mental and  of  substance  in  religion,  were  truly  dis- 
cerned and  distinguished  from  points  not  merely  of 
faith,  but  of  opinion,  order,  or  good  intention.  This 
is  a  thing  may  seem  to  many  a  matter  trival,  and 
done  already;  but  if  it  were  done  less  partially,  it 
would  be  embraced  more  generally. 

Of  this  I  may  give  only  this  advice,  according  to  my 
small  model.  Men  ought  to  tsike  heed  of  rending  God's' 
church  by  two  kinds  of  controversies;  the  one  is.  when 
the  matter  o(  the  point  controverted  is  too  small  and 
lisrht,  not  worth  the  heat  and  strife  about  it,  kindled 
only  by  contradiction;  for,  as  it  is  noted  by  one  of  Use 
failiers,  "Clirist's  coat  indeed  had  no  scam,  but  the 
church's  vesture  was  of  divers  colors;"  whereupon  be 
saith,  "  In  veste  varietas  sit.  scissura  non  sit,"f  they  be 
two  things,  unity  and  uniformity;  the  other  is,  when 
tlie  matter  of  the  point  controverted  is  great,  but  it  is 
driven  to  an  over  great  subtilty  and  obscurity,  so  that 
it  becometli  a  thing  rather  ingenious  than  substantial. 
A  man  that  is  of  judgment  and  understanding  shall 
sometimes  hear  ignorant  men  differ,  and  know  well 
within  himself,  that  those  which  so  differ  mean  one 
tiling,  and  j'et  they  tliemselves  would  never  agree;  and 
if  it  come  so  to  pass  in  that  distance  of  judgment,  which 
is  between  man  aiid  man,  shall  we  not  think  that  God 
above,  that  knows  the  heart,  doth  not  discern  that  frail 

*  St.  Matthew,  xii.  «0. 

+  "  In  tlie  garmeut  there  may  be  many  colors,  but  let  there  be 
no  rending  of  it." 


16  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

men,  in  some  of  their  coutrudictious,  intend  the  same 
thing:  and  acceptcth  of  botli?  Tiie  nature  of  s?ucli  con- 
troversies  is  excellently  expressed  by  St.  Paul,  in  the 
warning  and  precept  that  he  giveth  concerning  the 
same;  "  Devita  profanas  vocum  novitates,  et  opposi- 
tiones  falsi  norainis  scientiae."  *  Men  create  oppositions 
which  are  not,  and  put  them  into  new  terms,  so  fixed  as, 
whereas  the  meaning  ouglit  to  govern  the  term,  the 
terra  in  effect  goverueth  the  meaning.  There  be  also 
two  false  peaces,  or  unities;  the  one,  when  the  peace  is 
grounded  but  upon  an  implicit  ignorance:  for  all  colors 
will  agree  in  the  dark:  the  otiier,  wlien  it  is  pieced  up 
upon  a  direct  admission  of  contraries  in  fundamental 
points:  for  truth  and  falsehood,  in  such  things,  are  like 
the  iron  and  clay  in  the  toes  of  Nebuchadnezzar's  im- 
age ;f  they  may  cleave,  but  they  will  not  incorporate. 

Concerning  tiie  means  of  procuring  unity,  men  must 
beware  that,  in  the  procuring  or  muniting  of  religious 
unity,  they  do  not  dissolve  and  deface  the  laws  of  eliar- 
it}!^  and  of  human  society.  There  be  two  swords 
amongst  Christians,  the  spiritual  and  temporal;  and 
botii  have  tlieir  due  office  and  place  in  the  maintenance 
of  religion:  but  we  may  not  take  up  the  third  SAvord, 
wliich  is  Mahomet's  sword,!:  or  like  unto  it:  lliat  is,  to 
propagate  religion  by  wars,  or  by  sanguinary  persecu- 
tions to  force  consciences;  except  it  be  in  cases  of  overt 
scandal,  blasphemy,  or  intermixture  of  practice  against 
the  state;  much  less  to  nourish  seditions;  to  authorize 

♦  "  Avoid  profane  and  vain  babblings,  and  oppositions  of  sci- 
ence falsely  so  called."—  .  Tim.  vi.  20. 

t  He  alludes  to  the  drearA  of  Nebuchadnezzar,  significant  of 
the  limited  duration  of  his  kingdom.    See  Daniel  li.  33,  41. 

t  Mahomet  proselytized  by  givhig  to  the  nations  ivliieh  he  con- 
quered the  option  of  the  Koran  or  the  sword. 


OF  UNITY  IN  RELKJION.  17 

conspiracies  aud  rebellious;  to  put  the  sword  into  the 
people's  hamls,  ami  the  like,  leiuliug  to  tiie  subversion 
of  all  goveniment,  which  is  the  ordinance  of  God;  for 
this  is  but  to  dash  the  tirst  table  against  the  second;  aud 
so  to  consider  men  as  Christians,  as  we  forget  that  they 
are  men.  Lucretius  the  poet,  when  he  beheld  the  act 
of  Agamemnon,  that  could  endure  the  sacrificing  of  bis 
own  djiughter,  exclaimed: 

"  Tantum  roligio  potuit  sua  dere  malorum."  * 

What  would  he  have  said,  if  he  had  known  of  the 
massacre  in  France, -f-  or  the  powder  treason  of  Eng- 
hind?:]:  He  would  have  been  seveu  times  more  epicure 
and  atheist  than  he  was;  for  as  the  temporal  sword 
is  to  be  drawn  with  great  circumspection  in  cases  of  re- 
ligion, so  it  is  a  thing  monstrous  to  put  it  into  the  hands 
of  the  common  people;  let  that  be  left  unto  the  Ana- 
baptists, and  other  furies.  It  was  great  blasphemy, 
when  the  devil  said,  "  I  will  ascend  aud  be  like  the 
Highest;"  but  it  is  greater  blasphemy  to  personate  God, 
and  bring  him  in  saying,  "  I  will  descend,  and  be  like 
the  prince  of  darkness;"  and  what  is  it  better,  to  make 
the  Ciiuse  of  religion  to  descend  to  the  cruel  and  execra- 
ble actions  of  murdering  princes,  butchery  of  people 
aud  subversion  of  states  and  governments?     Surely  this 

*  "  To  deeds  so  dreadful  could  religion  prompt."  The  poet  re- 
fers to  the  sacrifloe  by  Agamemnon,  the  Grecian  leader,  of  his 
flaughter  Iphigenia,  with  the  view  of  appeasing  the  ^\Tath  of 
Diana. 

t  He  alludes  to  the  massacre  of  the  Huguenots,  or  Protestants, 
in  France,  which  took  place  on  St.  Bartholomew's  day,  August 
24, 15V2,  by  the  order  of  Charles  IX.  and  his  mother,  Catherine  de 
Medici.  On  this  occasion  about  60,O0J  persons  perished,  includ- 
ing the  Admiral  de  Coligny,  one  of  the  most  virtuous  men  that 
France  possessed,  aud  the  mainstay  of  the  Protestant  cause. 

%  More  generally  known  as  "  the  Gunpowder  Plot." 


18  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

is  to  bring  down  the  Holy  Ghost,  instead  of  the  likeness 
of  a  dove,  in  the  shape  of  a  vulture  or  raven;  and  to  set 
out  of  the  l)ark  of  a  Christian  church  a  flag  of  a  bark  of 
pirates  and  assassins;  therefore  it  is  most  necessary  tliat 
tlie  church  by  doctrine  and  decree,  princes  by  their 
sword,  and  till  learnings,  botli  Christian  and  moral,  as 
by  their  Mercury  rod,*  do  damn,  and  send  to  hell  for- 
ever those  facts  and  opinions  tending  to  the  support  of 
the  same;  as  hath  been  already  in  good  part  done. 
Surely  in  councils  concerning  religion,  that  counsel  of 
the  apostle  would  be  prefixed,  "  Ira  liomiuis  uou  implet 
justitiam  Dei:"f  and  it  was  a  notable  observation  of  a 
wise  father,  and  no  less  ingenuously  confessed,  that 
those  which  held  and  persuaded  pressure  of  consciences 
were  commonly  interested  therein  themselves  for  their 
own  ends. 

IV.— OF  REVENGE; 

Revenge  is  a  kind  of  wild  justice,  whicli  the  more 
man's  nature  runs  to,  the  more  ought  law  to  weed  it 
out:  for  as  for  the  first  wrong,  it  doth  but  offend  the 
law,  but  the  revenge  of  that  wrong  pulteth  the  law  out 
of  office.  Certain!}'-,  in  taking  revenge,  a  man  is  but 
even  witli  his  enemy;  but  in  passing  it  over,  he  is  su- 
perior; for  it  is  a  prince's  part  to  pardon:  and  Solomon, 
I  am  sure,  sailh,  "  It  is  the  glory  of  a  man  to  pass  by 
an  offense."  X    That  which  is  past  is  gone  and  irrevoca- 

*  Allusion  is  made  to  the  "  caduceus,"  with  which  Mercury,  the 
messenger  of  the  gods,  summoned  the  souls  of  the  departed  to 
the  infernal  n^gions. 

t  'The  wi-ath  of  man  worketh  not  the  righteousness  of  God." 
— James  i.  20. 

t  These  woi-ds  as  here  quoted,  are  not  to  l)e  found  in  the  vrit? 
ings  of  Solomon,  though  doubtless  the  sentiment  is. 


OF  REVENGE.  19 

ble,  and  wise  men  have  enough  to  do  with  things  pres- 
ent and  to  come;  therefore  they  do  but  trifle  with  them- 
selves lliat  labor  in  past  matters.  'I'liere  is  no  man  doth 
a  wrong  for  the  wrong's  sake,  but  therebj'  to  purchase 
himself  profit,  or  pleasure,  or  honor,  or  the  like;  there- 
fore why  should  I  be  angry  with  a  num  for  loving  him- 
self better  than  me?  And  if  any  man  should  do  urong 
merely  out  of  ill-nature,  why  yet  it  is  but  like  the  thorn 
or  briar,  which  prick  and  scratch,  because  thoj'  can  do 
no  other.  The  most  tolerable  sort  of  revenge  is  for 
those  wrongs  which  there  is  no  law  to  remedy;  but 
then,  let  a  man  take  heed  the  revenge  be  such  as  there  is 
no  law  to  punish,  else  a  man's  enemy  is  still  before- 
hand, and  it  is  two  for  one.  Some,  when  they  take  re- 
venge, are  desirous  the  party  should  know  whence  it 
Cometh:  this  is  tlie  more  generous;  for  the  delight  seem- 
eth  to  be  not  so  much  in  doing  the  hurt  as  in  making 
the  party  repent:  but  base  and  crafty  cowards  are  like 
the  arrow  that  flieth  in  the  dark.  Cosmus,  Duke  of 
Florence,*  had  a  desperate  saying  against  perfidious  or 
neglecting  friends,  as  if  those  wrongs  were  unpardona- 
ble. "You  shall  read,"  sailh  he,  "  that  we  are  com- 
manded to  forgive  our  enemies;  but  j'ou  never  read  that 
we  are  commanded  to  forgive  our  friends."  But  yet 
the  spirit  of  Job  was  in  a  better  tune:  "Shall  we," 
saith  he,  "  take  good  at  Goil's  hands,  and  not  be  content 
to  take  evil  also?"  f  and  so  of  friends  in  a  proportion. 
This  is  certain,  that  a  man  that  studieth  revenge  keeps 
his  own  wounds  green,  wlach  otherwise  would  heal  and 

•  He  alludes  to  Cosmo  de  Medici,  or  Cosmo  I.,  chief  of  the  Re- 
public of  Florence,  the  eucourager  of  literature  and  the  fiiie 
ai-ts. 

t  Job  ii.  10—"  Shall  we  receive  good  at  the  hand  of  God,  and 
shall  we  not  receive  evil  f" 


20  BAGOirS  ESSAYS. 

do  well.  Public  revenges  *  are  for  the  most  part  fortu- 
nate; as  that  for  the  death  of  Caesar  ;f  for  the  death  of 
Pertiuax;  for  the  death  of  Henry  the  Tliird  of  France;^ 
and  many  more.  But  in  private  revenges  it  is  not  so; 
May,  rather  vindictive  persons  live  tlie  life  of  witches: 
ivho,  as  they  are  mischievous,  so  end  they  unfortunate. 

v.— OF  ADVERSITY. 

It  was  a  high  speech  of  Seneca  (after  the  manner  of 
Uie  Stoics),  that,  "the  good  things  which  belong  to 
prosperity  are  to  be  wislied,  but  the  good  things  that 
belong  to  adversity  are  to  be  admired."  ("Bona  rerum 
secuudarum  optabilia,  adversarum  mirabilia.")  Cer- 
tainly, if  miracles  be  the  command  over  nature,  they 
appear  most  in  adversity.  It  is  yet  a  higher  speech  of 
his  than  the  other  (much  too  high  for  a  heatlien),  "It 
is  true  greatness  to  have  in  one  the  frailtj'  of  a  man, 
and  the  security  of  a  god."  ("  Vere  magnum  habere 
fragilitatem  hominis,  securitatein  Dei.")  This  would 
have  done  belter  in  poesy,  where  transcendencies  are 
more  allowed;  and  the  poets,  indeed,  have  been  busy 
with  it;  for  it  is  in  effect  the  thing  which  is  figured  in 

*  By  "  public  revenges,"  he  means  punishment  awarded  by  the 
state  with  the  sanction  of  the  laws. 

t  He  alludes  to  the  retribution  dealt  by  Augustus  and  Antony 
to  the  murderers  of  JuUus  Caesar.  It  is  related  by  ancient  histo- 
rians as  a  singular  fact,  that  not  one  of  them  died  a  natural 
death. 

t  Henry  in.  of  France  was  assassinated  in  1599,  by  Jacques 
Clement,  a  Jacobin  monk,  in  the  frenzy  of  fanaticism.  Although 
Clement  justly  suffered  punishment,  the  end  of  this  bloodthirety 
and  bigoted  tyrant  may  be  justly  deemed  a  retribution  dealt  by 
the  hand  of  an  offended  providence;  so  truly  does  the  poet  say: 

"  upque  enini  lex  aiquior  uUa 

Quam  necis  arliliues  arte  perire  sua." 


OF  ADVERSITY.  31 

that  strange  fiction  of  the  ancient  poets,*  which  seemetb 
not  to  be  without  mystery;  nay  and  to  have  some  ap- 
projich  to  the  state  of  a  Christian,  "  that  Hercules,  whcu 
he  went  to  unbind  Promethus  (by  whom  human  nature 
is  represented),  sailed  the  length  of  the  great  ocean  in 
an  earthen  pot  or  pitcher,"  lively  describing  Christian 
resolution,  that  eaileth  in  the  frail  bark  of  the  flesh 
through  the  waves  of  the  world.  But  to  speak  in  a 
mean,  the  virtue  of  prosperity  is  temperance,  the  virtue 
of  adversity  is  fortitude,  which  in  morals  is  the  more 
heroical  virtue.  Prosperity  is  the  blessing  of  the  Old 
Testament,  adversity  is  the  blessing  of  the  New,  which 
carrietb  the  greater  benediction,  and  the  clearer  revela- 
tion of  God's  favor.  Yet  even  in  tlie  Old  Testament,  if 
you  3isten  to  David's  harp,  you  shall  hear  as  many 
hearse-like  airsf  as  carols;  and  the  pencil  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  hath  labored  more  in  describing  the  afflictions  of 
Job  than  the  felicities  of  Solomon.     Prosperity  is  not 


*  Stesichorus,  Apollodorus,  and  others.  Lord  Bacon  makes  a 
similar  reference  to  this  myth  in  liia  treatise  "  On  Uie  Wisdom 
of  the  Andents."  "It  is  added  with  great  elefjance,  to  console 
and  strenglhen  the  minds  of  men,  that  this  mighty  hero  (Hercu- 
les) sailed  in  a  cup,  or  '  urceus, '  in  order  that  they  may  not  *oo 
much  fear  and  allege  the  narrowness  of  their  nature  and  its 
frailty :  as  if  it  were  not  capable  of  sxich  fortitude  and  constancy ; 
of  which  very  thing  Seneca  argued  well,  when  he  said,  '  It  is  a 
great  thing  to  have  at  the  same  time  the  frailty  of  a  man,  and 
the  security  of  a  God.' " 

+  Funereal  airs.  It  must  be  remembered  that  many  of  the 
Psalms  of  David  were  written  by  him  wlien  persecuted  by  Saul, 
as  also  in  the  tribulation  caused  by  the  wicked  conduct  of  his  son 
Absalom.  Some  of  them,  too,  though  called  "The  Psatais  of 
David,"  were  really  composed  by  the  Jews  in  their  captivity  at 
Babylon;  as,  for  instance,  the  l.'ITth  Psalm,  which  so  beautifully 
commences,  "  By  the  waters  of  Babylon  there  we  sat  down." 
One  of  them  is  supposed  to  be  the  cmnposition  of  Moses. 


23  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

•without  many  fears  and  distastes;  and  adversity  is  not 
■witliout  comforts  and  hopes.  We  see  in  needleworks 
and  embroideries,  it  is  more  pleasing  to  have  a  lively 
work  upon  a  sad  and  solemn  ground,  tlian  to  have  a 
dark  and  melancholy  work  upon  a  lightsome  ground : 
judge  therefore,  of  the  pleasure  of  the  heart  by  tho 
pleasure  of  the  eye.  Certainly  virtue  is  life  precious 
odors,  most  fragrant  when  they  are  incensed,  or  crushed: 
for  prosperity  doth  best  discover  vice,  but  adversity  doth 
best  discover  virtue.* 

VI.— OF  SIMULATION  AND  DISSIMULATION. 

Dissimulation  is  but  a  faint  kind  of  policy,  or  wis- 
dom; for  it  asketh  a  strong  wit  and  a  strong  lieart  to 
know  wiien  to  tell  truth,  and  to  do  it:  therefore  it  is 
the  weaker  sort  of  politicians  that  are  the  great  dis- 
semblers. 

Tacitus  saith,  "  Livia  sorted  well  with  the  arts  of  her 
husband,  and  dissimulation  of  her  son;  attributing  arts 
or  policy  to  Augustus,  and  dissimulation  to  Tiberius:'' 
and  again,  when  Muciauus  encourageth  Vespasian  to 
take  arms  against  Vitellius,  he  saith,  "We  rise  not 
against  the  piercing  judgment  of  Augustus,  nor  the 
extreme  caution  or  closeness  of  Tiberius."  Tljese  prop- 
erties of  arts  or  policy,  and  dissimulation  or  closeness, 
are  indeed  habits  and  faculties  .s^everul,  and  to  be  dis- 

*  This  flne  passage,  beginning  at  "Prosperity  is  the  blessing," 
which  was  not  publislied  till  1625,  twenty-eight  years  after  tl.e 
first  Essays,  has  been  quoted  by  Maoaulay,  Avitli  considerable 
justice,  as  a  proof  that  the  writer's  fancy  did  not  decay  with  the 
advance  of  old  age.  and  that  his  style  in  his  latter  years  becanio 
richer  and  softer.  The  learned  Ci'itic  contrasts  this  passage  with 
the  terse  style  of  the  Es.say  of  Studies  (Essay  50),  which  was  pub- 
lished in  1597. 


OF  SIMULA  TION  AND  DISSIM  ULA  TION.    23 

tinguished;  for  if  a  man  liave  that  penetration  of  judg- 
ment as  he  can  discern  what  things  are  to  be  laid  open, 
and  what  to  be  secreted,  and  what  to  be  sliowed  at  lialf- 
lights,  and  to  Avhoin  and  when  (which  indeed  are  arts 
of  state,  and  arts  of  life,  as  Tacitus  well  calleth  them), 
to  him  a  habit  of  dissimulation  is  a  biuderau  ^  and  a 
poorness.  But  if  a  man  cannot  attain  to  that  judgment, 
then  it  is  left  to  him  generally  to  be  close,  and  a  dis- 
scmljJer:  for  where  a  man  cannot  choose  or  vary  in  par- 
ticidars.  there  it  is  good  to  take  the  safest  and  wariest 
way  in  general,  like  the  going  softly,  by  one  that  can- 
not well  see.  Certainly,  the  ablest  men  that  ever  were, 
have  had  nil  an  openness  and  frankness  of  dealing,  and 
a  name  of  certainty  and  veracity:  but  then  they  were 
like  horses  well  managed,  for  they  could  tell  p;isslng 
well  when  to  stop  or  turn;  and  at  such  times  when  they 
thought  the  case  indeed  recjuircd  dissimulation,  if  then 
tiiey  used  it,  it  came  to  pass  that  the  former  opinion 
spread  abroail,  of  their  good  faith  and  clearness  of  deal, 
ing,  made  them  almost  invisible. 

Tiiere  be  three  degrees  of  this  hiding  and  veiling  of  a 
man's  self:  the  first,  closeness,  reservation,  and  secrecy; 
when  a  man  Icaveth  himself  without  observation,  or 
without  hold  to  bo  taken,  what  he  is:  the  second,  dis- 
simulation in  the  negative;  when  a  man  lets  fall  signs 
and  arguments,  that  he  is  not  that  be  is:  and  the  third, 
simulation  in  tha  afflrmalive;  when  a  man  industri- 
ously and  expressly  feigns  and  pretends  to  be  that  he 
is  not. 

For  the  first  of  these,  secrecy,  it  is  indeed  the  virtue 
of  a  confi'ssor;  and  assuredly  the  secret  man  heareth 
many  confessions;  for  who  will  open  himself  to  a  blab 
or  a  babbler?  But  if  a  man  be  thought  secret,  it  inviteth 
discovery,  as  the  more  close  :ur  snr  kdh  in  the  more 


24  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

open;  and,  as  in  confession,  the  revealing  is  not  fof 
worldl}'  use,  but  for  the  ease  of  a  man's  heart,  so  secret 
men  come  to  the  knowledge  of  many  things  in  that 
kind;  while  men  rather  discharge  their  minds  than  inv 
part  their  minds.  In  few  words,  mysteries  are  due  to 
secrecy.  Besides  (to  say  truth),  nakedness  is  uncomely, 
as  well  in  mind  as  body ;  and  it  addeth  no  small  rever- 
ence to  men's  manners  and  actions,  if  they  be  not  alto- 
gether open.  As  for  talkers,  and  futile  persons,  they 
are  commonly  vain  and  credulous  withal:  for  he  that 
talketh  what  he  kuoweth,  will  also  talk  what  he  kuow- 
eth  not;  therefore  set  it  down,  that  a  habit  of  secrecy  is 
both  politic  and  moral :  and  in  this  part  it  is  good  that  a 
man's  face  give  his  tongue  leave  to  speak;  for  the  dis- 
covery of  a  man's  self,  by  the  tracts*  of  his  countenance, 
is  a  great  weakness  and  betraying,  by  how  luuch  it  is 
many  times  more  marked  ami  believed  thaii  a  man's 
word. 

For  the  second,  which  is  dissimidation,  it  followetU 
many  times  upon  secrecy  by  a  necessity;  so  that  he  that 
will  be  secret  must  be  a  dissembler  in  some  degree;  for 
men  are  loo  cunning  to  suffer  a  man  to  keep  an  indiffer- 
ent carriage  between  both,  and  to  be  secret  witliout 
swaying  the  balance  on  eitlier  side.  Thej'  wijl  so  beset 
a  man  with  questions,  and  draw  him  on,  and  pick  it 
out  of  him,  that  without  an  absurd  silence,  he  must 
show  an  inclination  one  way;  or  if  he  do  not,  they  will 
gather  as  much  by  his  silence  as  by  his  speech.  As  for 
equivocations,  or  oraculous  speeches,  they  cennot  hold 
out  long:  so  that  no  man  can  be  secret,  except  he  give 
himself  a  little  scope  of  dissimulation,  which  is,  as  it 
were,  but  the  skirts  or  train  of  secrecy. 


*  A  word  now  unused,  signifying  the  ■'  traits"  or  "  f  -Ttiirv^s." 


OF  SIMULATION  AND  DISSIMULATION.     25 

IJiit  for  the  third  dc^ee,  which  is  simulation  and 
f;ilsc  profession,  that  I  hold  more  culpable,  and  less 
liolitic,  except  it  be  in  great  and  rare  mailers:  and, 
llierefore,  a  general  custom  of  simulalion  (winch  is  this 
last  degree)  is  u  vice  rising  either  of  a  natural  falseness, 
or  fearfulness,  or  of  a  mind  that  hath  some  main  faults; 
•which,  becjiuse  a  man  must  needs  disguise,  it  maketh 
him  practise  simulation  in  other  things,  lest  his  hand 
ehould  be  out  of  use. 

The  advantages  of  simulation  and  dissimulation  are 
three:  first,  to  lay  asleep  opposition,  and  to  surprise;  for 
where  a  man's  intentions  are  published,  it  is  an  alarm  to 
call  up  all  that  are  against  them:  Ihe  second  is,  to  re- 
serve to  a  man's  self  a  fair  retreat;  for  if  a  man  engage 
liimself  by  a  manifest  declaration,  he  must  go  through, 
or  take  a  fall:  the  third  is,  the  better  to  discover  the 
mind  of  another;  for  to  him  that  opens  himself  men  Tvill 
hardly  show  themselves  adverse;  but  will  (fair)  let  him 
go  on,  and  turn  their  freedon  of  speech  to  freedom  of 
thought;  and  therefore  it  is  a  good  shrewd  proverb  of 
the  Spaniards,  "  Tell  a  lie  and  find  a  troth;"*  as  if  there 
were  no  way  of  discovery  by  simulation.  There  be 
also  three  disadvantages  to  set  it  even;  the  first,  that 
simulation  and  dissimulation  commonly  carry  with 
them  a  show  of  fearfulness,  which,  in  any  business 
dolh  spoil  the  feathers  of  round  flying  up  to  the  mark; 
the  second,  that  it  puzzleth  and  perplexeth  the  conceits 
of  many,  that,  perhaps,  would  otherwise  co-operate  with 
him,  and  makes  a  man  walk  almost  alone  to  his  own 
ends;  the  third,  and  greatest,  is,  that  it  depriveth  a  man 
of  one  of  the  most  principal  instruments  for  action, 
which  is  trust  and  belief.     The  best  composition  and 

*  A  truth. 


26  BACON' ii  J^'SaAYii. 

temperature  is,  to  have  openness  iu  fame  and  opinion; 
secrecy  iu  habit;  dissimulation  in  seasonable  use;  and  a 
power  to  feign  if  there  be  no  remedy. 

VII.— OF  PARENTS  AND  CHILDREN. 

The  joys  of  parents  are  secret,  and  so  are  their  griefs 
and  fears;  they  cannot  utter  the  one,  nor  they  will  not 
utter  the  other.  Children  sweeten  labors,  but  they  make 
misfortunes  more  bitter;  they  increase  the  cares  of  life, 
but  they  mitigate  the  remembrance  of  death.  The  per- 
petuity by  generation  is  common  to  beasts;  but  memory, 
merit,  and  noble  works,  are  proper  to  men:  and  surely 
a  man  shall  see  the  noblest  works  and  foundations  have 
proceeded  from  childless  men,  which  have  sought  to  ex- 
press the  images  of  their  minds  where  those  of  their 
bodies  have  failed;  so  the  care  of  posterity  is  most  in 
them  that  have  no  posterity.  They  that  are  the  first 
raisers  of  tlieir  houses  are  most  indulgent  towards  their 
children,  beholding  them  as  the  continuance,  not  only 
of  their  kind,  but  of  their  work;  and  so  both  children 
and  creatures. 

The  difference  in  affection  of  parents  towards  their 
several  chilllren  is  many  times  unequal,  and  some- 
times unworthy,  especially  in  the  mother;  as  Solo- 
mon saith,  "A  wise  son  rejoiceth  the  father,  but  an 
ungracious  son  shames  the  mother."*  A  man  shall 
see,  where  there  is  a  house  full  of  children,  one  or 
two  of  the  eldest  respected,  and  the  youngest  made 
wantons  ;f  but  in  the  midst  some  that  are  as  it  were 
forgotten,  who,  many   times,  nevertheless,   prove   the 

*  Proverbs  x.  1 :  "A  wise  son  maketh  a  glad  father,  but  a  fool- 
ish son  is  the  heaviness  of  his  mother.'' 
t  Petted— spoiled. 


OF  PARENTS  AND  CHILDREN.  27 

best.  The  illiberality  of  parents,  in  allowance  towards 
their  children,  is  a  harmful  error,  makes  them  base,  ac> 
quaints  them  witii  shifts,  makes  them  sort  with  mean 
company,  and  makes  tliem  surfeit  more  wlien  they 
come  to  plenty:  and,  therefore,  the  proof*  is  best  when 
men  keep  their  authority  towards  their  children,  but 
not  their  purse.  Men  have  a  foolish  manner  (both  par- 
ents, and  schoolmasters,  and  servants),  in  creating  and 
breeding  an  emulation  between  brothers  during  child- 
hood, which  many  times  sortcth  to  discoid  when  they 
ate  men,  and  dlsturbeth  families.f  The  Italians  make 
little  difference  between  children  and  nephews,  or  near 
kinsfolk;  but  so  they  be  of  the  lump,  they  care  not, 
though  they  pass  not  through  their  own  body;  and,  to 
say  truth,  in  nature  it  is  iTiuch  a  like  matter;  insomuch 
that  we  see  a  nephew  sometimes  resembleth  an  imcle  or 
a  kinsman,  more  than  his  own  parent,  as  the  blood  hap- 
pens. Let  parents  choose  betimes  the  vocations  and 
courses  they  mean  their  children  should  take,  for  then 
they  are  most  flexible,  and  let  them  not  too  much  apply 
themselves  to  the  disposition  of  their  children,  as  think- 
ing they  will  take  best  to  tliat  which  they  have  most  mind 
to.  It  is  true,  that  if  the  affection,  or  aptness  of  the 
children  be  extraordinary,  then  it  is  good  not  to  cross  it; 
but  generally  the  precept  is  good,    "  Optimum,  elige. 


*  This  word  seems  here  to  mean  "  a  plan"  or  "method  "  as 
proved  by  its  results. 

t  There  is  considerable  justice  in  this  remark.  Children  should 
be  taught  to  do  what  is  right  for  its  own  saice.  and  because  it  is 
their  duty  to  do  so,  and  not  that  they  may  have  the  selfish  gratl- 
fleation  of  obtaining  the  reward  which  their  companions  have 
failed  to  secure,  and  of  being  led  to  think  themselves  superior  to 
their  companions.  When  launched  upon  the  world,  emulation 
will  be  quite  sufHciently  forced  upon  them  by  stem  necessity. 


28  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

suave  et  facile  illud  faciei  consuetudo."*  Younger 
brothers  are  commonly  fortunate,  but  seldom  or  never 
wbere  the  elder  are  disinherited. 

VIII.— OF  MARRIAGE  AND  SINGLE  LIFE. 

He  that  liath  wife  and  children  hath  given  hostages 
to  fortune;  for  they  are  impediments  to  great  enter- 
prises, either  of  virtue  or  mischief.  Certainly  the  best 
works,  and  of  greatest  merit  for  the  public,  liave  pro- 
ceeded from  the  unmarried  or  childless  men,  which  both 
in  affection  and  means  have  married  and  endowed  the 
public.  Yet  it  were  great  reason  that  tiiose  that  have 
children  should  have  greatest  care  of  future  times,  unto 
which  tliey  know  they  must  transmit  their  dearest 
pledges.  Some  there  are  who,  though  they  lead  a  single 
life,  yet  their  thoughts  do  end  with  themselves,  and  ac- 
count future  times  impertinences;  nay,  there  are  some 
other  that  account  wife  and  children  but  as  bills  of 
charges;  nay  more,  there  are  some  foolish  rich  covetous 
men,  that  take  a  pride  in  having  no  children,  because 
they  may  be  thought  so  much  the  richer;  for,  perhaps 
they  have  heard  some  talk,  "  Such  an  one  is  a  great  rich 
man,"  and  another  except  to  it,  "  Yea,  but  he  hath  a 
great  charge  of  children,"  as  if  it  were  an  abatement  to 
his  riches:  but  the  most  ordinary  cause  of  a  single  life 
is  liberty,  especially  in  certain  self-pleasing  and  humor- 
ous minds,  which  are  so  sensible  of  every  restraint,  a."} 
they  will  go  near  to  think  their  girdles  and  garters  to 
be  bonds  and  shackles.  Unmarried  men  are  best  friends, 
best  masters,  best  servants  ;  b\xt  not  always  best  sub- 
jects, for  they  are  light  to  run  away,  and  almost  all 


*  "Select  that  cntir.ie  of  life  which  is  the  most  advantageous: 
habit  will  soon  render  it  pleasant  and  easily  endured." 


OF  MARRIAGE  AND  SINGLE  LIFE       29 

fugitives  are  of  Uiat  coudition.  A  single  life  doth  well 
witli  churclunen,  for  cliurity  will  liiirdly  water  the 
ground  where  il  must  first  till  a  pool,*  It  is  indiflfereut 
for  judges  and  iuagistrates;  for  if  they  be  facile  and 
corrupt,  you  shall  have  a  servant  five  times  worse  thau 
a  wife.  For  soldiers,  I  find  the  generals  commonly,  in 
their  hortatives,  rut  men  iu  mind  of  their  wives  and 
children;  and  I  think  the  despising  of  marriage  amongst 
the  Turks  maketh  the  vulgar  soldier  more  base.  Cer- 
tainly wife  .-md  children  are  a  kind  of  disciphne  of  hu- 
manity; and  single  men,  though  they  Iw  many  times 
more  chariUible,  becjiuse  their  means  are  less  exhaust, 
yet.  on  tiie  other  side,  they  are  more  cruel  and  hard- 
hearted (good  to  make  severe  inquisitors),  because  their 
tenderness  is  not  so  oft  called  upon.  Grave  natures, 
led  by  custom,  and  therefore  cousUint,  arc  commonly 
loving  husbands,  as  was  said  of  Ulysses,  "  Vetulam 
suam  prtetulit  immortalitati,"f  Chaste  women  are  often 
proud  and  froward,  as  presuming  upon  the  merit  of 
their  chastity.  It  is  one  of  the  best  bonds,  both  of 
chastity  and  obedience,  in  the  wife,  if  she  think  her 
husband  wise,  which  she  will  never  do  if  she  find  him 
jealous.  Wives  are  young  men's  mistresses,  compan- 
ions for  middle  age,  and  old  men's  nurses,  so  as  a  man 
may  have  a  quarrelj  to  marry  when  he  will:  but  yet  ho 
was  reputed  one  of  tiie  wise  men  that  made  answer  to 
the  queslioa  when  a  man    should  marry:  "A  young 

*  His  meaning  is,  that  if  clergymen  have  the  expenses  of  a 
family  to  support,  tliey  will  hardly  find  means  for  the  exercise  of 
benevolence  toward  their  parislioners. 

t  "  He  preferred  liis  aged  wife  Penelope  to  immortality." 
This  was  when  Ulysses  was  entreated  by  the  goddess  Calypso  to 
give  up  all  thoughts  of  returning  to  Ithaca,  and  to  remain  with 
her  in  tlie  enjoyment  of  immortality, 

t  "  3Iay  have  a  pretext,"  or  "  excuse," 


so  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

man  not  yet,  an  elder  mau  not  at  all."  It  is  often  seen 
that  bad  husbands  have  very  good  wives;  whether  it  be 
that  it  raiseth  the  price  of  their  liusband's  kindness 
when  it  comes,  or  that  the  wives  take  a  pride  in  tlieir 
patience;  but  this  never  fails,  if  the  bad  husbands  were 
of  their  own  choosing,  against  their  friends'  consent, 
for  then  they  will  be  sure  to  make  good  their  own  folly. 

IX— OF  ENVY. 

Thkre  be  none  of  the  affections  which  have  been 
noted  to  fascinate  or  bewitch,  but  love  and  envy:  they 
both  have  vehement  wishes;  they  frame  themselves 
readily  into  imaginations  and  suggestions,  and  they 
come  easily  into  the  eye,  especially  upon  the  presence 
of  the  objects  which  are  the  points  that  conduce  to  fas- 
ciuation,  if  any  such  thing  there  be.  We  see,  likewise, 
the  Scripture  calleth  envj'  an  evil  eye;*  and  the  astrolo- 
gers call  the  evil  influences  of  the  stars  evil  aspects;  so 
tliat  still  there  seemeth  to  be  acknowledged,  in  the  act 
of  envy,  an  ejaculation,  or  irradiation  of  the  eye;  nay, 
some  have  been  so  curious  as  to  note,  that  the  times, 
when  the  stroke  or  percussion  of  an  envious  eye  doth 
most  hurt,  are,  when  the  party  envied  is  beheld  in  glory 

*  So  prevalent  in  ancient  times  was  the  notion  of  the  injurious 
effects  of  the  ej^e  of  envy,  that  in  common  parlance  the  Romans 
generally  used  the  word  "  preeflscini,"  "  without  risk  of  enchant- 
ment," or  "  fascination,"  when  they  spoke  in  high  terms  of 
themselves.  They  supposed  that  they  thereby  averted  the 
effects  of  enchantment  pro<luced  by  the  evil  eye  of  any  envious 
person  who  might  at  that  moment  possibly  be  looking  upon  them. 
Lord  Bacon  probably  here  alludes  to  St.  Mark  vii.  21,  22;  *'  Out 
of  the  heart  of  men  proceedeth— deceit,  lasciviousness,  an  evil 
eye."  Solomon  also  speaks  of  the  evil  eye,  Prov.  xxiii,  6,  aad 
x.'tvii,  23. 


OF  EJ^VY.  81 

or  triumph;  for  that  sets  an  edge  upon  envy:  and  be- 
sides, at  such  times,  the  spirits  of  the  j^ersou  envied  do 
come  forth  most  into  the  outward  purls,  and  so  meet 
the  blow. 

But  leaving  these  curiosities  (though  not  unworthy  to 
be  thought  on  in  fit  place),  we  will  handle  what  persons 
are  apt  to  envy  others,  wliat  persons  are  most  subject  to 
be  envied  themselves,  and  what  is  the  difference  be- 
tween public  and  private  envy. 

A  man  that  hath  no  virtue  in  himself  ever  enviclh 
virtue  in  others;  for  men's  minds  will  either  feed  upon 
their  own  good,  or  upon  others'  evil;  and  who  wanteth 
the  one  will  prey  upon  the  other;  and  whoso  is  out  of 
hope  to  attain  to  another's  virtue,  will  seek  to  come  at 
even  hand,*  by  depressing  another's  fortune. 

A  man  that  is  busy  and  inquisitive  is  commonly  envi- 
ous; for  to  know  much  of  other  men's  matters  cannot 
be,  because  all  that  ado  may  concern  his  own  estate; 
therefore  it  must  needs  be  that  he  takelh  a  kind  of  play- 
pleasure  in  looking  upon  the  fortunes  of  others:  neither 
can  he  that  mindeth  but  his  own  business  find  much 
matter  for  envy;  for  envy  is  a  gadding  passion,  and 
walketh  the  street,  and  does  not  keep  home:  "Non  est 
curiosus,  quin  idem  sit  malevolus."f 

Men  of  noble  birth  are  noted  to  be  envious  towards 
new  men  when  they  rise;  for  the  distance  is  altered: 
and  it  is  like  a  deceit  of  the  eye,  that  when  others  come 
on  they  think  themselves  go  back. 

I  Deformed  persons  and  eunuchs,  and  the  old  men  and 
bastards,  are  envious;  for  he  that  cannot  possibly  mend 
his  own  case,  will  do  what  he  can  to  impair  another's; 

•  To  be  even  with  him. 

t  "  There  is  no  pei-son  a  busj--body  but  what  he  is  ill-natured 
too."    This  passage  it>  from  the  Slichus  of  Plautus. 


33  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

except  these  defects  light  upon  a  very  brave  and  heroic 
niiture,  whicli  thinketh  to  make  liis  natural  wants  part 
of  his  honor;  in  that  it  should  be  said,  "  That  a  eunuch, 
or  a  lame  man,  did  sucij  great  matters,"  aflfecting  the 
lionor  of  a  miracle:  as  it  was  in  Narses*  the  eunuch, 
and  Agesilaus  and  Tamerlane,f  that  were  lame  men. 

Tiie  same  is  the  case  of  men  that  rise  after  calamities 
and  misfortunes;  for  they  are  as  men  fallen  out  with 
the  times,  and  lliink  other  men's  harms  a  redemption 
of  their  own  sufferings. 

They  that  desire  to  excel  in  too  many  matters,  out  of 
levity  and  vain-glory,  are  ever  envious,  for  Ihey  cannot 
want  work :  it  ])eing  impossible,  but  many,  in  some  of 
those  things,  should  surpass  them;  which  was  the  char- 
acter of  Adrian  the  emperor,  that  mortally  envied  poets 
and  painters,  and  artificers  in  works,  wherein  he  had  a 
vein  to  excel. 

Lastly,  near  kinsfolk  and  fellows  in  office,  and  those 
that  have  been  bred  together,  are  more  apt  to  envy 

*  Narses  superseded  Belisarius  in  the  command  of  the  armies  of 
Italy,  by  the  orders  of  the  Emperor  Justinian.  He  defeated  To- 
tila,  the  king  of  the  Goths  (who  had  taken  Rome),  in  a  decisive 
engagement,  in  which  the  latter  was  slain.  He  governed  Italy 
with  consummate  ability  for  thirteen  years,  when  he  was  un- 
gratefully recalled  by  Justin  the  Second,  the  successor  of  Jus- 
tinian. 

t  Tamerlane,  or  Timour,  was  a  native  of  Samarcand.  of  which 
territory  he  was  elected  emperor.  He  overran  Persia,  Georgia. 
Hindostan,  and  captured  Bajazet,  the  valiant  Sultan  of  thei 
Turks,  at  the  battle  of  Angora,  1402,  whom  he  is  said  to  have  in- 
closed in  a  cage  of  iron.  His  conquasts  extended  from  the  Ir- 
tish and  Volga  to  the  Persian  Gulf  and  from  the  Ganges  to  the 
Grecian  Archipelago.  While  preparing  for  the  invasion  of 
China,  lie  died,  in  the  TOth  year  of  hi.s  age,  a.d.  1405.  He  was  tall 
and  corpulent  in  person,  but  was  maimed  in  one  hand,  and  lam« 
on  the  right  side. 


OF  ENVY.  88 

Iheir  equals  when  they  are  raised;  for  it  doth  upbraid 
unto  them  their  own  fortunes,  and  poiuteth  at  Ihem, 
and  Cometh  oftener  into  tlieir  remembrance,  and  in- 
curreth  lilvcwise  more  into  the  note*  of  others:  and 
t'uvy  ever  redoubletli  from  speech  and  fame.  Cain's 
eiivy  was  tlic  more  vile  and  malignant  towards  his 
l)rotlier  Abel,  because  when  his  sacrifice  was  l)etter  ac- 
cepted, there  was  noboiiy  to  look  on.  Thus  much  for 
those  tJiat  are  apt  to  envy. 

Concerning  those  that  are  more  or  less  subject  to 
envy:  First,  persons  of  eminent  virtue,  when  they  are 
a<lvanced,  are  less  envied,  for  their  fortune  seemeth  but 
due  unto  them;  and  no  man  euvieth  the  payment  of  a 
debt,  but  rewards  and  liberality  rather.  Again,  envy 
is  ever  joined  with  the  comparing  of  a  man's  self;  and 
where  there  is  no  comparison,  no  envy;  and  therefore 
kings  are  not  envied  but  by  kings.  Nevertheless,  it  is 
to  be  noted,  that  unworthy  persons  are  most  envied  at 
their  first  coming  in,  and  afterwards  overcome  it  bet- 
ter; whereas,  contrariwise,  jxT-sons  of  worth  and  merit 
are  most  envied  when  their  fortune  continueth  long; 
for  by  that  time,  though  their  virtue  be  the  same,  yet 
it  hath  not  the  same  lustre;  for  fresh  men  grow  up  that 
darken  it. 

Persons  of  noble  blood  are  less  envied  in  their  rising; 
for  it  seemeth  but  right  done  to  their  birth;  besides, 
there  seemeth  not  so  much  added  to  their  fortune;  and 
envy  is  as  the  sunbeams,  that  beat  hotter  upon  a  bank 
or  steep  rising  ground,  than  upon  a  flat;  and,  for  the 
Biime  reason,  those  that  arc  advanced  by  degrees  are 
less  envied  than  those  that  are  advanced  suddenly,  and 
"  per  saltum."f 

♦  Comw  under  the  observation. 

t  "  By  a  leap,"  i.e.,  over  the  heads  of  others. 


34  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

Those  that  have  joined  with  their  honor  great  travels, 
cares,  or  perils,  are  less  subject  to  envy;  for  men  think 
that  they  earn  their  honors  hardly,  and  pity  them  some- 
times; and  pity  ever  healeth  envj^:  wherefore  you  shall 
observe,  that  the  more  deep  and  sober  sort  of  politic 
persons,  in  their  greatness,  are  ever  bemoaning  them- 
selves what  a  life  they  lead,  chanting  a  "quanta  pati- 
mur;"*  not  that  they  feel  it  so,  but  only  to  abate  the 
edge  of  envy:  but  this  is  to  be  understood  of  business 
that  is  laid  upon  men,  and  not  such  as  they  call  unto 
themselves;  for  nothing  increaseth  envy  more  than  an 
unnecessary  and  ambitious  engrossing  of  business;  and 
nothing  doth  extinguish  envy  more  than  for  a  great 
person  to  preserve  all  other  inferior  officers  in  their  full 
rights  and  pre-eminences  of  their  places;  for,  by  that 
means,  there  be  so  many  screens  between  him  and  envy. 

Above  all,  those  are  mo«t  subject  to  envy,  which  carry 
the  greatness  of  their  fortunes  in  an  insolent  and  proud 
manner:  being  never  well  but  while  they  are,  showing 
how  great  they  are,  either  by  outward  pomp,  or  by  tri- 
umphing over  all  opposition  or  competition:  whereas 
wise  men  will  rather  do  sacrifice  to  envy,  in  suffering 
themselves,  sometimes  of  purpose,  to  be  crossed  and 
overborne  in  things  that  do  not  much  concern  them. 
Notwithstanding  so  much  is  true,  that  the  carringe  of 
greatness  in  a  plain  and  open  manner  (so  it  be  without 
arrogancy  and  vain-glory)  doth  draw  less  envy  than  if 
it  be  in  a  more  crafty  and  cunning  fashion;  for  in  that 
course  a  man  doth  but  disavow  fortune,  aud  seemeth  to 
be  conscious  of  his  own  want  in  worth,  and  doth  but 
teach  others  to  envy  him. 

Lastly,  to  conclude  this  part,  as  we  said  in  the  be- 

*  "  How  vast  the  evils  we  endure." 


OF  ENVT.  85 

ginning  that  the  act  of  envy  had  somewhat  in  it  of 
witclicraft,  so  there  is  no  oilier  cure  of  envy  but  the 
cure  of  witclicraft;  and  that  is,  to  remove  the  lot  (ag 
they  call  it),  and  to  lay  it  upon  another;  for  which  pur- 
pose the  wiser  sort  of  great  persons  bring  in  ever  upon 
the  stage  somebody  upon  whom  to  derive  the  envy  that 
would  come  upon  themselves;  sometimes  upon  minis- 
ters and  servants,  sometimes  upon  colleagues  and  asso- 
ciates, and  the  like;  and,  for  that  turn,  there  are  never 
wanting  some  persons  of  violent  and  undertaking  na- 
tures, who,  so  they  may  have  power  and  business,  will 
take  it  at  any  cost. 

Now,  to  speak  of  public  envy:  there  is  yet  some 
good  in  public  env}',  whereas  in  private  there  is  none; 
for  public  envy  is  as  an  ostracism,*  that  eclipselh  men 
when  they  get  too  great;  and  therefore  it  is  a  bridle  also 
to  great  ones,  to  keep  them  witliin  bounds. 

This  envy,  being  in  the  Latin  word  "invidia,"f  goetU 
in  the  modern  languages  by  the  name  of  discontent- 
ment; of  which  we  shall  speak  in  handling  sedition. 
It  is  a  disease  in  a  state  like  to  infection;  for  as  infec- 
tion spreadcth  upon  that  which  is  sound,  and  taintetb 
it,  so,  when  envy  is  gotten  once  into  a  state,  it  traduc- 
eth  even  the  best  actions  thereof,  and  turneth  them 
into  an  ill  odor;  and  therefoie  there  is  little  won  by  in- 
termingling of  plausible  actions;  for  that  doth  argue 
but  a  weakness  and  a  fear  of  envy,  which  liurtelh  so 
much  the  more,  as  it  is  likewise  usual  in  infections, 
"Which,  if  you  fear  them,  you  call  them  upon  you. 

♦  He  probably  alludes  to  the  custom  of  the  Athenians,  who 
frequently  ostracised  or  banished  by  vote  their  public  men,  lest 
they  should  become  too  powerful. 

t  From  "in"  and  "video,"  "to  look  upon;"  with  reference  to 
the  so-called  "  evil  eye"  of  the  envious. 


96  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

Tliis  public  envy  seemcUi  to  beat  chiefly  upon  prin- 
cipal olticeis  or  ministers,  rullier  tlian  upon  kings  and 
estates  themselves.  But  this  is  a  sure  rule,  tliat  if  the 
envy  upon  the  minister  be  great,  when  the  cause  of  il 
in  him  is  small;  or  if  the  envy  be  general  in  a  manner 
upon  all  the  ministers  of  an  estate,  then  the  envy 
(though  hidden)  is  truly  upon  the  state  itself.  And  so 
much  of  public  envy  or  discontentment,  and  the  differ- 
ence thereof  from  private  env}-,  wliich  was  handled  in 
the  first  place. 

We  will  add  this  in  general,  touching  the  affection  of 
envy,  that  of  all  other  affections  it  is  the  most  impor- 
tune and  continual  ;  for  of  other  affections  there  is 
occasion  given  but  now  and  then  ;  and  therefore  it  was 
well  said,  "  Invidia  festos  dies  non  agit:"  *  for  it  is  ever 
working  upon  some  or  other.  And  it  is  also  noted,  that 
love  and  envy  do  make  a  man  pine,  which  other  affec- 
tions do  not,  because  they  are  not  so  continual.  It  is 
also  the  vilest  affection,  and  the  most  depraved;  for 
which  cause  it  is  the  proper  attribute  of  the  devil,  who 
is  called  "  The  envious  man,  that  soweth  tares  amongst 
the  wheat  by  night;"  f  as  it  always  cometh  to  pass  that 
envy  worketh  subtilely,  and  in  the  dark,  and  to  the 
prejudice  of  good  things,  such  as  is  the  wheat. 

X— OF   LOVE. 

The  stage  is  more  beholding  to  love  than  the  life  of 
man;  for  as  to  the  stage,  love  is  ever  matter  of  come- 
dies, and  now  and  then  of  tragedies;  but  in  life  it  doth 
much  mischief,  sometimes  like  a  Siren,  sometimes  like 
a  Fury.  You  may  observe,  that  amongst  all  the  great 
and  worthy  persons  (whereof  the  memory  remaineth, 

*  "  Envy  ke  t)8  no  holidays."  +  See  St.  Matthew  xiii.  25. 


OF  LO  Vh'.  87 

cither  ancient  or  leceut),  tliere  is  uol  oue  that  hiith  been 
tninsported  to  tho  m:id  degree  of  love,  which  shows 
that  great  spirits  and  great  business  do  keep  out  this 
■weak  passion.  You  must  except,  nevertheless,  Marcus 
Aiitonius,  the  half  partner  of  the  empire  of  Rome,  and 
Appius  Claudius,*  the  Decemvir  and  lawgiver;  whereof 
the  former  was  indeed  a  voluptuous  man,  and  inordi- 
nate; but  the  latter  was  an  austere  and  wise  man:  and 
therefore  it  seems  (though  rare,!}-)  that  love  can  find 
entrance,  not  only  into  an  open  heart,  but  also  into 
a  heart  well  fortified,  if  watch  be  not  well  kept.  It 
is  a  poor  saying  of  Epicurus,  "Satis  magnum  alter 
alteri  theatrum  8umus:"f  as  if  man,  made  for  the 
contemplation  of  heaven  and  all  noble  objects,  should 
do  nothing  but  kneel  before  a  little  idol,  and  make  him- 
self subject,  though  not  of  the  mouth  (as  beasts  are), 
yet  of  the  eye,  which  was  given  him  for  higher  pur- 
poses. It  is  a  strange  thing  to  note  the  excess  of  this 
passion,  and  how  it  braves  the  nature  and  value  of 
Ihiugs  by  this,  that  the  speaking  in  a  perpetual  hyper- 

*  He  iniquitously  attempted  to  obtain  possession  of  the  person 
of  Virginia,  who  was  Ifilled  by  her  father  Vir^inius,  to  prevent 
her  from  falling  a  victim  to  his  lust.  Tliis  circumstance  caused 
the  fall  of  the  Decemvir  at  Rome,  v.ho  had  been  employed  in 
framing  the  code  of  laws  afterwards  known  as  "  The  Laws  of 
the  Twelve  Tables."  They  narrowly  escaped  being  burnt  alive 
by  the  infuriated  populace. 

t  ■'  We  are  a  sufficient  theme  for  contemplation,  the  one  for 
the  other."  Pope  .seems,  notwithstanding  tliis  censure  of  Bacon, 
to  have  been  of  the  same  opinion  with  Epicurus  :— 

"  Know  then  thyself,  presume  not  God  to  scan. 
The  proper  study  for  mankind  is  man." 

Essay  on  Man,  Ep.  ii.  1,  8. 
Indeed  Lord  Bacon  seems  to  have  misunderstood  the  saying  of 
Epicurus,  who  did  not  mean  to  recommend  man  as  the  sole  ob- 
ject of  the  bodily  vision,  but  as  the  pi-oper  theme  for  mental  con- 
templation. 


38  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

bole  is  comely  in  nothing  but  in  love;  neither  is  it 
merely  in  the  phrase;  for  whereas  it  liath  been  well 
said,  "  That  the  arch  flatterer,  with  whom  all  the  petty 
flatterers  have  intelligence,  is  a  man's  self;"  certainly 
tlie  lover  is  more;  for  there  was  never  proud  man 
thought  so  absurdly  well  of  himself  as  the  lover  doth 
of  the  person  loved;  and  therefore  it  was  well  said, 
"  That  it  is  impossible  to  love  and  to  be  wise."  Neither 
doth  this  weakness  appear  to  others  only,  and  not  to 
the  party  loved,  but  to  the  loved  most  of  all,  except  the 
love  be  reciprocal ;  for  it  is  a  true  rule,  that  love  is  ever 
rewarded,  either  with  reciprocal,  or  with  an  inward  and 
secret  contempt;  by  how  much  the  more  men  ought  to 
beware  of  this  passion,  which  loseth  not  only  other 
things,  but  itself.  As  for  the  other  losses,  the  poet's 
relation*  doth  well  figure  them:  "That  he  that  pre- 
ferred Helena,  quitted  the  gifts  of  Juno  and  Pallas;"  for 
whosoever  esteemeth  too  much  of  amorous  affection, 
quittelh  both  riches  and  wisdom.  This  passion  hath 
his  floods  in  tlie  very  times  of  weakness,  which  are, 
great  prosperity  and  great  adversity,  though  this  latter 
hath  been  less  observed;  both  which  times  kindle  love, 
and  make  it  more  fervent,  and  therefore  show  it  to  be 
the  child  of  folly.  They  do  best  who,  if  they  cannot 
but  admit  love,  yet  make  it  keep  quarter,  and  sever  it 
wholly  from  their  serious  affairs  and  actions  of  life;  for 
if  it  check  once  with  business,  it  troubleth  men's 
fortunes,  and  maketh  men  that  they  can  nowise  be  true 
to  their  own  ends.  I  know  not  how,  but  martial  men 
are  given  to  love:  I  think  it  is,  but  as  they  are  given  to 
wine,  for  perils  commonly  ask  to  be  paid  in  pleasures. 
There  is  in  man's  nature  a  secret  inclination  and  motion 


*  He  refers  here  to  the  Jiulgment  of  Paris,  meutioned  by  Ovid 
in  his  Epistles,  of  the  Heroines. 


OF  GREAT  PLACE.  89 

towards  love  of  others,  ■which,  if  it  be  not  spent  upon 
some  one  or  a  few,  doth  naturally  spread  itself  towards 
many,  and  maketii  men  become  humane  and  charitable, 
as  it  is  seen  sometimes  in  friars.  Nuptial  love  maketh 
mankind,  friendly  love  perfectcth  it,  but  wanton  love 
corrupteth  and  embaseth  it. 

XI.— OF  GREAT  PLACE. 
Men  in  great  place  are  thrice  servants— servants  of 
the  sovereign  or  state,  servants  of  fame,  and  servants  of 
business;  so  as  they  have  no  freedom,  neither  in  their 
persons,  nor  in  their  actions,  nor  in  their  times.  It  is  a 
strange  desire  to  seek  power  and  to  lose  liberty;  or  to 
seek  power  over  others,  and  to  lose  power  over  a  man's 
self.  The  rising  unto  place  is  laborious,  and  by  pains 
men  come  to  greater  pains;  and  it  is  sometimes  base, 
and  by  indignities  men  come  to  dignities.  The  .standing 
is  slippery,  and  the  regress  is  eitlier  a  downfall,  or  at 
least  an  eclipse,  which  is  a  melancholy  thing:  "Cum 
non  sis  qui  fueris,  non  esse  cur  velis  vivere."*  Nay, 
retire  men  cannot  when  they  would,  neither  will  they 
when  it  were  reason;  but  are  impatient  of  privateness 
even  in  age  and  sickness,  which  require  the  shadow, 
like  old  townsmen,  that  will  be  still  sitting  at  their 
street-door,  though  thereby  they  offer  age  to  scorn. 
Certainly  great  persons  had  need  to  borrow  oilier  men's 
opinions  to  think  themselves  happy;  for  if  they  judge 
bj'  their  own  feeling,  they  cannot  find  it:  but  if  they 
think  with  themselves  what  otlier  men  think  of  them, 
and  that  other  men  would  fain  be  as  they  are,  then  they 
are  happj'  as  it  were  by  report,  when,  perhaps,  they  find 
Ihe  contrary  within;  for  they  are  the  first  that  find  tlieii 

♦  •'  Since  you  are  not  what  you  were,  there  is  no  reason  wh,'» 
you  should  wish  to  live." 


40  BACOA'^  L'i<bAYS. 

own  griefs,  though  they  be  the  last  that  find  their  own 
faults.  Certainly  men  in  great  fortunes  are  strangers  to 
themselves,  and  while  they  are  in  the  puzzle  of  business 
Ihey  have  no  time  to  tend  their  heallli  either  of  body  or 
mind.  "  Illi  mcrs  gravis  incubat,  qui  notus  nimis 
omnibus,  ignotus  moritur  sibi."*  In  place  there  is 
license  to  do  good  and  evil;  whereof  the  latter  is  a 
curse:  for  in  evil  the  best  condition  is  not  to  will,  the 
second  not  to  can.  But  power  to  do  good  is  the  true 
and  lawful  end  of  aspiriug;  for  good  thoughts,  though 
God  accept  them,  yet  towards  men  are  little  better  than 
good  dreams,  except  they  be  put  in  act;  and  that  can- 
not be  without  power  and  place,  as  the  vantage  and 
commanding  ground.  Merit  and  good  works  is  the  end 
of  man's  motion;  and  conscience  of  the  same  is  the 
accomplishment  of  man's  rest:  for  if  a  man  can  be  par-' 
talier  of  God's  theatre,  he  shall  likewise  be  partaker  of 
God's  rest.  "  Et  conversus  Dens,  ut  aspiceret  opera, 
quae  fccerunt  manus  suae,  vidit  quod  omnia  essent  bona 
nimis;" f  and  tlien  the  Sabbath. 

In  the  discharge  of  thy  place  set  before  thee  the  best 
examples;  for  imitation  is  a  globe  of  precepts;  and 
after  a  time  set  before  thee  thine  own  example;  and 
examine  thyself  strictly  whether  thou  didst  not  best  at 
first.  Neglect  not  also  the  examples  of  those  that  have 
carried  themselves  ill  in  the  same  place;  not  to  set  off 
thyself  by  taxing  tlieir  memory,  but  to  direct  thyself 
what  to  avoid.  Reform,  therefore,  without  braver}^  or 
scandal  of  foimer  times  and* persons;  but  yet  set  it 

♦"Death  presses  heavily  upon  him,  who,  well-known  to  all 
others,  dies  unknown  to  himself." 

t  "  And  God  turned  to  behold  the  works  which  his  hands  had 
made,  and  he  saw  tliat  everything  was  very  good."— See  Gen. 
i.  31. 


OF  a  HEAT  PLACE.  41 

down  to  tljyself,  as  well  to  create  good  precedents  as  to 
follow  them.  Reduce  things  to  the  first  inslitulion,  and 
observe  wherein  and  how  they  have  degenerated ;  but 
yet  ask  counsel  of  both  times — of  the  ancient  time  what 
is  best,  and  of  the  latter  time  what  is  fittest.  Seek  to 
make  thy  course  regular,  that  men  may  know  before- 
hand what  they  may  expect;  but  be  not  too  positive  and 
peremptory;  and  express  thyself  well  when  thou  di- 
gressest  from  thy  rule.  Preserve  the  rigut  of  thy  place, 
but  stir  not  questions  of  jurisdiction;  and  rather  assume 
thy  right  in  silence,  and  "  de  facto,"*  than  voice  it  with 
claims  and  challenges.  Preserve  likewise  the  rights  of 
inferior  places;  and  think  it  more  honor  to  direct  in 
chief  than  to  be  busy  in  all.  Embrace  and  invite  helps 
and  advices  touching  the  execution  of  thy  place;  and 
do  not  drive  away  such  as  bring  thee  information  as 
meddlers,  but  accept  of  them  in  good  part.  Tlie  vices 
of  authority  are  chiefly  four:  delays,  corruption,  rough- 
ness and  facility  For  delays  give  easy  access;  keep 
times  appointed;  go  through  with  that  which  is  in  hand, 
and  interlace  not  business  but  of  necessity.  For  corrup- 
tion, do  not  only  bind  thine  own  hands  or  thy  servant's 
hands  from  taking,  but  bind  tlie  hands  of  suitors  also 
from  oiTering;  for  integrity  used  doth  the  one;  but  in- 
tegrity professed,  and  with  a  manifest  detestation  of 
bribery,  doth  the  otlier;  and  avoid  not  only  the  fault, 
but  the  suspicion.  Whosoever  is  found  variable,  and 
changeth  manifestly  without  manifest  cause,  givetli 
suspicion  of  corruption:  therefore,  always  when  thou 
changest  thine  opinion  or  couree,  profess  it  plainl}',  and 
declare  it,  together  with  the  reasons  that  move  thee  to 
change,  and  do  not  think  to  steal  it.     A  servant  or  a 

*  "  Aa  a  matter  of  course." 


42  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

favorite,  if  he  be  inward,  and  no  other  apparent  cause 
of  esteem,  is  commonly  thought  but  a  by-way  to  close 
corruption.  For  roughness,  it  is  a  needless  cause  of  dis- 
content: severity  breedeth  fear,  but  roughness  breedeth 
bate.  Even  reproofs  from  authority  ought  to  be  grave, 
and  not  taunting.  As  for  facility,*  it  is  worse  tlian 
bribery;  for  bribes  come  but  now  aud  then;  but  if  im- 
portunity or  idle  respects  f  lead  a  man,  he  shall  never  be 
without;  as  Solomon  saith,  "To  respect  persons  is  not 
good;  for  such  a  man  will  transgress  for  a  piece  of 
bread."! 

It  is  most  true  that  was  anciently  spoken;  "A  place 
showeth  the  man;  and  it  shovveth  some  to  the  better  and 
some  to  the  worse:"  "  Omnium  consensu  capax  imperii, 
uisi  imperasset,"§  saith  Tacitus  of  Galba;  but  of  Ves- 
pasian he  saith,  "  Solus  imperantium,  Vespasiauus 
niutatus  in  melius;"  ||  though  the  one  was  meant  of  suf- 
ficiency, the  other  of  manners  and  affection.  It  is  an 
assured  sign  of  a  worthy  and  generous  spirit,  whom 
honor  amends;  for  honor  is,  or  should  be,  the  place  of 
virtue;  and  as  in  nature  things  move  violently  to  their 
place,  and  calmly  in  their  place,  so  virtue  in  ambition 
is  violent,  in  authority  settled  and  calm.  All  rising  to 
great  place  is  by  a  winding  stair;  and  if  there  be  factions, 
it  is  good  to  side  a  man's  self  whilst  he  is  iu  the  rising, 

*  Too  great  easiness  of  access. 

t  Predilections  that  are  undeserved. 

t  Proverbs  xxvili.  21.  The  whole  passage  stands  thus  in  our 
version:  "  He  that  maketh haste  to  be  rich  shall  not  be  innocent. 
To  liave  respect  of  persons  is  not  good ;  for,  for  a  piece  of  bread 
that  man  will  transgress." 

§  '•  By  the  consent  of  all  he  was  fit  to  govern,  if  he  had  not 
governed." 

I  "  Of  the  emperors,  Vespasian  alone  changred  for  the  better 
after  hin  acceaHion," 


OF  BOLDNESS.  43 

and  to  biilancc  himself  when  he  is  placed.  Use  the 
jueinory  of  thy  predecessor  fairly  and  tenderly ;  for  if 
thou  dost  not,  it  is  a  debt  will  sure  be  paid  when  thou 
art  gone.  If  thou  have  colleagues,  respect  them;  and 
rather  call  them  when  they  look  not  for  it,  than  exclude 
them  when  they  have  reason  to  look  to  be  called.  Bo 
not  too  sensible  or  too  remembering  of  thy  place  in  con- 
versation and  private  answers  to  suitors;  but  let  it 
rather  be  said,  "  When  he  sits  in  place,  he  is  another 
man." 

XII.— OF  BOLDNESS. 

It  is  a  trivial  grammar-school  text,  but  yet  worthy  a 
wise  man's  consideration.  Question  was  asked  of  De- 
mosthenes, what  was  the  chief  part  of  an  orator?  he 
answered,  Action:  what  next? — Action:  what  next 
again? — Actiou.  lie  said  it  that  knew  it  best,  and  had 
by  nature  himself  no  advantage  in  that  he  commended. 
A  strange  thing,  that  that  part  of  an  orator  which  is  but 
superficial,  and  rather  the  virtue  of  a  player,  should  be 
placed  so  high  above  those  other  noble  parts  of  inven- 
tion, elocution,  and  the  rest;  nay,  almost  alone,  as  if  it 
were  all  in  all.  But  the  reason  is  plain.  There  is  in 
luiman  nature  generally  more  of  the  fool  than  of  the 
wise;  and  therefore  those  faculties  by  which  the  foolish 
part  of  men's  minds  is  taken  are  most  potent.  Wonder- 
ful-like is  the  case  of  boldness  in  civil  business;  what 
first? — boldness;  what  second  and  third? — boldness; 
and  yet  boldness  is  a  child  of  ignorance  and  baseness, 
far  inferior  to  other  parts:  but,  nevertheless,  it  doth  fas- 
cinate, and  bind  hand  anii  foot  those  that  are  either 
shallow  in  judgment  or  weak  in  courage,  which  are  the 
greatest  part;  yea,  and  prevaileth  with  wise  men  at 
weak  times;  therefore  we  see  it  hath  done  wonders  ia 


44  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

popular  states,  but  with  senates  and  princes  less;  and 
more,  ever  upon  tlje  first  entrance  of  bold  persons  into 
action  tliau  soon  after;  for  boldness  is  an  ill  keeper  of 
promise.  Surely  as  tliere  are  mountebanks  for  the 
natural  bod}',  so  are  there  mountebanks  for  the  politic 
body;  men  that  undertake  great  cures,  and  perhaps  have 
been  lucky  in  two  or  tliree  experiments,  but  want  the 
grounds  of  science,  and  therefore  cannot  hold  out;  nay, 
you  shall  see  a  bold  fellow  many  times  do  Mahomet's 
miracle.  Maiiomet  made  tlie  people  believe  that  he 
would  call  a  hill  to  him,  and  from  the  top  of  it  offer  up 
his  prayers  for  the  observers  of  his  law.  The  people 
assembled;  Mahomet  called  the  hill  to  come  to  him 
again  and  again;  and  when  the  hill  stood  still,  he  was 
never  a  whit  abashed,  but  said,  "If  the  hill  will  not 
come  to  Mahomet,  Mahomet  will  go  to  the  hill."  So 
these  men  when  they  have  promised  great  matters  and 
failed  most  shamefully,  j'et  (if  they  have  the  perfection 
of  boldness)  they  will  but  slight  it  over,  and  make  a 
turn,  and  no  more  ado.  Certainly  to  men  of  great 
judgment,  bold  persons  are  a  sport  to  behold;  nay,  and 
to  the  vulgar  also  boldness  hath  somewhat  of  the  ridicu- 
lous ;  for  if  absurdity  be  the  subject  of  laughter,  doubt  you 
not  but  great  boldness  is  seldom  without  some  absurditj'; 
especially  it  is  a  sport  to  see  when  a  bold  fellow  is  out 
of  countenance,  for  that  puts  his  face  into  a  most 
shrunken  and  wooden  posture,  as  needs  it  must;  for  in 
bashfulness  the  spirits  do  a  little  go  and  come;  but  with 
bold  men,  upon  like  occasion,  they  stand  at  a  stay;  like 
a  stale  at  chess,  where  it  is  no  mate,  but  j^et  the  game 
cannot  stir:  but  this  last  were  fitter  for  a  satire  than  for 
a  serious  observation.  This  is  well  to  be  weighed,  that 
boldness  is  ever  blind;  for  it  seeth  not  dangers  and  in- 
conveniences: therefore  It  is  ill   in  counsel,  good   in 


OF  GOODNESS.  45 

execution ;  so  that  the  right  use  of  bold  persons  is,  that 
tliey  never  command  in  chief,  but  be  seconds  and  under 
tlie  direction  of  others;  for  in  counsel  it  is  good  to  see 
dangers,  and  in  execution  not  to  see  them  except  they 
be  very  great. 

XIII.— OF  GOODNESS.  AND  GOODNESS 
OF  NATURE. 

I  TAKE  goodness  in  tins  sense,  the  effecting  of  the 
weal  of  men,  wliich  is  that  the  Grecians  call  "  philau- 
Ihropia;"  and  the  word  humanity  (as  it  is  used)  is  a 
little  too  light  to  express  it.  Goodness  I  call  the  habit, 
and  goodness  of  nature  the  inclination.  This,  of  all 
virtues  and  dignities  of  the  mind,  is  the  greatest,  being 
t  lie  cliaracter  of  the  Deity :  and  without  it  man  is  a  busy, 
mischievous,  wretched  thing,  no  better  than  a  kind  of 
vermin.  Goodness  answers  to  the  theological  virtue 
charity,  and  admits  no  excess  but  error.  The  desire  of 
jiower  in  excess  caused  the  angels  to  fall;*  the  desire  of 
knowledge  in  excess  caused  man  to  fall;  but  in  charity 
there  is  no  excess,  neither  can  angel  or  man  come  in 
danger  by  it.  The  inclination  to  goodness  is  imprinted 
deeply  in  the  nature  of  man ;  insomuch,  that  if  it  issue 
not  towards  men,  it  will  take  unto  other  living  creatures; 
iis  it  is  seen  in  the  Turks,  a  cruel  people,  who  neverthe- 
less arc  kind  to  beasts,  and  give  alms  to  dogs  and  birds; 
insomuch  as  Busbechiusf  reporteth,  a  Christian  boy  in 

*  It  is  not  improbable  that  this  passage  suggested  Pope's 
beautiful  lines  in  the  Essay  on  Man,  Ep.  i.  125-8. 
"  Pride  still  is  aiming  at  the  blest  abodes. 
Men  would  be  angels,  angels  would  be  gods. 
Aspiring  to  be  gods,  if  angels  fell. 
Aspiring  to  be  angels,  men  rebel." 
t  Auger  Gislen  Busbec,  or  Busbequius,  a  learned  traveler, 


46  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

Constantinople  had  like  to  have  been  stoned  for  gagging 
in  a  waggishness  a  long-billed  fowl.*  Errors,  indeed, 
in  this  virtue,  of  goodness  or  charity,  may  be  com- 
mitted. The  Italians  have  an  ungracious  proverb, 
"  Tan  to  buon  che  val  nieute:" — "So  good,  that  he  is 
good  for  nothing:"  and  one  of  the  doctors  of  Italj-, 
Nicholas  Machiavel.f  had  the  confidence  to  put  in  writ' 

born  at  Comines,  in  Flanders,  in  1522.  He  was  employed  by  the 
Emperor  Ferdinand  as  ambassador  to  the  Sultan  Solyman  II. 
He  was  afterwards  ambassador  to  Fi'ance,  where  he  died  in 
1592.  His  letters  relative  to  his  travels  in  the  East,  which  are 
written  in  Latin,  contain  much  Interestmg  information.  They 
were  the  pocket  companion  of  Gibbon,  and  are  highly  praised 
by  him. 

*  In  this  instance  the  stork  or  crane  was  probably  protected 
not  on  the  abstract  grounds  mentioned  in  the  text,  but  for  rea- 
sons of  state  policy  and  gratitude  combined.  In  Eastern  climes 
the  cranes  and  dogs  are  far  more  efficacious  than  human  agency 
in  remoring  filth  and  offal,  and  thereby  diminishing  the  chances 
of  i^estilence.  Superstitution,  also,  may  have  formed  another 
motive,  as  we  learn  from  a  letter  written  from  Adrianople  by 
Lady  Montagu,  in  1718,  that  storks  were  "  held  there  in  a  sort  of 
religious  reverence,  because  they  are  supposed  to  make  every 
winter  the  pilgrimage  to  Mecca.  To  say  truth,  they  are  the  hap- 
piest subjects  under  the  Turkish  government,  and  are  so  sensi- 
ble of  their  privileges,  that  they  walk  the  streets  without  fear, 
and  generall}'-  build  their  nests  in  the  lower  parts  of  the  houses. 
Happy  are  those  whose  houses  are  so  distinguished,  as  the  vulgar 
Turks  are  perfectly  persuaded  that  they  will  not  be  that  year 
attacked  either  by  fire  or  pestilence . "  Storks  are  still  protected 
by  municipal  law  in  Holland,  and  roam  unmolested  about  the 
market-places. 

tNicolo  Machiavelli,  a  Florentine  statesman.  He  wrote  "  Dis- 
courses on  the  fii-st  Decade  of  Livy,"  which  were  conspicuous 
for  their  liberality  of  sentiment,  and  just  and  profound  reflec- 
tions. This  work  was  succeeded  by  his  famous  treatise.  "  II 
Principe."— "  The  Prince,"  his  patron,  Cnpsar  Borgia,  being  the 
model  of  the  perfect  prince  there  described  by  him  The  whole 
scope  of  this  work  is  directed  to  one  object— the  maintenance  of 


OF  QOODNESS.  47 

ing,  almost  in  plaiu  terms,  "That  the  Christian  faith 
hud  given  up  good  men  in  prey  to  tliose  Ihat  are  tyran- 
nical and  unjust;"  which  be  spake,  because,  indeed, 
there  was  never  law,  or  sect,  or  opinion  did  so  much 
magnify  goodness  as  the  Christian  religion  doth:  there- 
fore, to  avoid  the  scandal  and  the  danger  both,  it  is  good 
to  take  knowledge  of  the  errors  of  a  habit  so  excellent. 
Seek  tlie  good  of  other  men,  but  be  not  in  bondage  to 
iheir  faces  or  fancies;  for  that  is  but  facility  or  softness, 
which  taketii  an  honest  mind  prisoner.  Neither  give 
thou  .^sop's  cock  a  gem,  who  would  be  better  plejLsed 
and  happier  if  he  had  had  a  barley  corn.  The  example 
of  God  teachcth  the  lesson  truly;  "  He  seudelh  his  rain, 
and  maketh  his  sun  to  shine  upon  the  just  and  the  un- 
just;"* buthedotli  not  rain  wealth,  nor  shine  honor  and 
virtue  upon  men  equally:  common  benefits  are  to  be 
communicate  with  all,  but  peculiar  benehts  with  choice, 
And  beware  how  in  making  the  portraiture  thou  break- 
est  the  pattern;  for  divinity  maketh  the  love  of  our- 
selves the  pattern:  the  love  of  our  neighbors  but  the 
])(irtraiture:  "  Sell  all  thou  hast,  and  give  it  to  the  poor, 
and  follow  me:"f  but  sell  not  all  thou  hast  except  thou 

power,  however  acquired.  Though  its  precepts  are  no  doubt 
based  upon  the  actual  practice  of  the  Italian  politician.s  of  that 
day,  it  has  been  suggested  by  some  writers  that  the  work  was  a 
covert  exposure  of  the  defurmity  of  the  Bhockiug  maxims  that 
it  profe.sses  to  inculcate.  The  question  of  his  motives  has 
been  much  discussed,  and  is  still  considered  open.  The  word 
'•  3Iachiavellisra"  has,  however,  been  adopted  to  denote  all  that 
is  deformed,  insincere,  and  perfidious  in  politics.  He  died  iu 
great  poverty,  in  the  year  15'.27. 

*  St.  Matthew  v.  5:  '•  For  he  maketh  his  sun  to  rise  on  the  evil 
aud  on  the  good,  and  sendeth  rain  on  the  just  and  on  the  un- 
just." 

+  This  is  a  portion  of  our  Saviour's  reply  to  the  rich  man  who 
asked  him  what  he  should  do  to  uiherit  eternal  life:   "Then 


48  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

come  and  follow  nie;  Ibat  is,  except  thou  have  a  vooa- 
tion  wherein  thou  mayest  do  as  much  good  with  little 
means  as  with  great;  tlie  otherwise,  in  feeding  the 
streams,  thou  driest  for  fountain.  Neither  is  there  only  a 
habit  of  goodness  directed  by  right  reason ;  but  there  is  in 
some  men,  even  in  nature,  a  disposition  towards  it;  as, 
on  the  other  side,  there  is  a  natural  malignity:  for  there 
be  that  in  their  nature  do  not  alTect  the  good  of  others. 
The  lighter  sort  of  malignity  turueth  but  to  a  cross- 
ness,  or  frowardncss,  or  aptness  to  oppose,  or  difflcile- 
ness,  or  the  like;  but  the  deeper  sort  to  envy,  and  mere 
mischief.  Such  men  in  other  men's  calamities,  are,  as 
it  were,  in  season,  and  are  ever  on  the  loading  part :  not 
so  good  as  the  dogs  that  licked  Lazarus'  sores,*  but 
like  flies  that  are  still  buzzing  upon  anything  that  is 
i"aw ;  misanthropi,  that  make  it  their  practice  to  bring 
men  to  the  bough,  and  yet  have  never  a  tree  for  the 
purpose  in  their  gardens,  as  Timon  f  had:  such  disposi- 
tions are  the  very  errors  of  human  nature,  and  yet  they 


Jesus  beholding  him,  loved  him,  and  said  unto  him,  One  thing 
thou  lackest;  go  thy  way,  sell  whatsoever  thou  hast,  and  give  to 
the  poor,  and  thou  shalt  have  treasure  in  heaven:  and  come, 
take  up  the  cross,  and  follow  me." — St.  Mark  x.  21. 

*  See  St.  Lukexvi.  21. 

t  Timon  of  Athens,  as  he  is  generally  called  (being  so  styled 
by  Shakespeare  in  the  play  which  he  has  founded  on  his  story\ 
was  sumamed  the  "Misanthrope,"  from  the  hatred  which  he 
bore  to  his  fellow-men.  He  was  attached  to  Apemantus,  another 
Athenian  of  similar  character  to  himself,  and  he  professed  toes- 
teem  Alcibiades,  because  he  foresaw  that  he  would  one  day  bring 
ruin  on  his  country.  Going  to  the  public  assembly  on  one  occa- 
sion, he  mounted  the  rostrum,  and  stated  that  he  had  a  flg-tree 
on  which  many  worthy  citizens  had  ended  their  days  by  the  hal- 
ter; that  he  was  going  to  cut  it  down  for  the  piupose  of  building 
on  the  spot,  and  therefore  recommended  all  such  as  were  in- 
clined to  avail  themselves  of  it  before  it  was  tOO  late. 


OF  AOmLITY.  49 

are  the  fittest  timber  to  muke  great  politics  of;  like  to 
kuee  timber,*  that  is  good  for  ships  that  are  ordained  to 
be  tossed,  but  not  for  building  houses  that  shall  stand 
firm.  The  parts  and  signs  of  goodness  are  many.  If  a 
man  be  gracious  and  courteous  to  strangers,  it  shows  he 
is  a  citizen  of  the  world,  and  that  his  heart  is  no  island 
cut  off  from  other  lauds,  but  a  continent  that  joins  to 
them:  if  he  be  compassionate  towards  the  afilictions  of 
others,  it  shows  that  his  heart  is  like  the  noble  tree  that 
is  wounded  itself  when  it  gives  the  balm: f  if  he  easily 
pardons  and  remits  offenses,  it  shows  that  his  mind  is 
planted  above  injuries,  so  that  he  cannot  be  shot:  if  he 
be  thankful  for  small  betietils,  it  shows  that  he  weighs 
men's  minds,  and  not  their  trash:  but,  above  all,  if  he 
have  St.  Paul's  perfection,  that  he  tvould  wish  to  be  an 
anathema  t  from  Christ  for  the  salvation  of  his  breth- 
ren, it  shows  much  of  a  divine  nature,  and  a  kind  of 
conformity  with  Christ  himself. 

XIV.— OF   NOBILITY. 

We  will  speak  of  nobility  first  as  a  portion  of  an  es- 
tate, then  as  a  condilion  of  particular  persons.  A  mon- 
archy, where  there  is  no  nobility  at  all,  is  ever  a  pure 
and  absolute  tyranny,  as  that  of  the  Turks;  for  nobility 
attempers  sovereignty,  and  draws  the  eyes  of  the  peo- 

*  A  piece  of  timber  that  has  grown  crooked,  and  has  been  so 
cut  that  the  trunk  and  branch  form  an  angle. 

t  He  probably  here  refera  to  the  myrrh-tree.  Incision  is  the 
method  usually  adopted  for  extracting  the  resinous  juices  of 
trees:  as  in  the  india-rubber  and  guttapercha  trees. 

t  "  A  votive,"  and  in  the  present  instance  "a  vicarious  offer- 
ing." He  alludes  to  the  words  of  St.  Paul  in  his  Second  Epistle 
to  Timothy  ii.  10:  "Therefore  I  onduro  all  things  for  the  elect's 
sakes.  that  they  may  also  obtain  the  salvation  which  is  in  Christ 
Jesus  with  eternal  gloiy. " 


50  BACOK'S  ESSAY.'^. 

pie  soiuevvhat  aside  from  the  line  royal:  but  for  democ- 
racies they  need  it  uot;  and  they  are  commonly  more 
quiet  and  less  subject  to  sedition  than  where  there  are 
stirps  of  nobles;  for  men's  eyes  are  upon  the  business, 
and  not  upon  the  persons;  or  if  upon  the  persons,  it  is 
for  tlio  business  sake,  as  fittest,  and  not  for  flags  and 
pedigree.  We  see  tlie  Svvitzers  last  well,  notwithstand- 
ing their  diversity  of  religion  and  of  cantons;  for  utility 
is  their  bond,  and  not  respects.*  The  united  provinces 
of  tlie  Low  Countries  f  in  their  government  excel;  for 
■where  there  \»  an  equality  the  consultations  are  more 
indifferent,  and  the  payments  and  tributes  more  cheer- 
ful. A  great  and  potent  nobility  addeth  majesty  to  a 
monarch;  but  diminisheth  power,  and  puttetli  life  and 
spirit  into  the  people,  but  presseth  their  fortune.  It  is 
well  when  nobles  are  uot  too  great  for  sovereignty  nor 
for  justice;  and  yet  maintained  in  that  height,  as  the  in- 
solcucy  of  inferiors  may  be  broken  upon  them  before  it 
come  on  too  fast  upon  the  majesty  of  kings.  A  numer- 
ous nobility  causeth  poverty  and  inconvenience  in  a 
state,  for  it  is  a  surcharge  of  expense;  and  besides,  it 
being  of  necessity  that  many  of  the  nobility  fall  in  time 
to  be  weak  in  fortune,  it  maketh  a  kind  of  dispropor- 
tion between  honor  and  means. 

As  for  nobility  in  particular  persons,  it  is  a  reverend 
thing  to  see  an  ancient  castle  or  building  not  in  decay, 
or  to  see  a  fair  timber- tree  sound  and  perfect;  how 
much  more  to  behold  an  ancient  noble  family,  whieli 
hath  stood  against  the  waves  and  weathers  of  time!  for 
new  noljility  is  but  the  act  of  power,  but  ancient  nobil- 

*  "  Consideration  of,"  or  "  predeliction  for,  particular  persons." 
+  The  Low  Countries  had  then  recently  emancipated  themselves 

from  the  galling  j-oke  of  Spain.    They  were  called  the  Seven 

Cnited  Provinces  of  the  Netherlands. 


OF  SEUITICNS  AND   TROUBLES.  51 

ity  is  the  act  of  time.  Tliose  that  are  first  raised  to  no- 
bility are  commoiilj'  more  virtuous,*  but  less  innocent, 
than  tlieir  descendants;  for  tiiere  is  larely  any  rising  but 
by  a  commixture  of  good  and  evil  arts;  but  it  is  reasonf 
the  memory  of  their  virtues  remain  to  their  posterity, 
and  their  faults  die  with  themselves.  Nobility  of  birth 
commonly  abateth  industry;  and  he  that  is  not  indus- 
trious, envieth  he  that  is;  besides,  noble  persons  cannot 
go  much  higher;  and  he  that  standeth  at  a  stay  when 
others  rise,  can  hardly  avoid  motions  of  envy.  On  the 
other  side,  nobility  extinguisheth  the  passive  envy  from 
others  towards  them,  bocause  they  are  in  possession  of 
honor.  Certainly,  kings  that  have  able  men  of  their  no- 
bility shall  find  ease  in  employing  them,  and  a  better 
slide  into  their  business;  for  people  naturally  bend  to 
them  as  born  in  some  sort  to  command, 

XV.— OP  SEDITIONS  AND  TROUBLES. 

Shepherds  of  people  had  need  know  the  calendars  of 
tempests  in  state,  which  are  commonly  greatest  when 
things  grow  to  equality;  as  natural  tempests  are  great- 
est about  the  equinoclia,|  and  as  there  are  certain  liol- 
low  blasts  of  wind  and  secret  swellings  of  seas  before  a 
tempest,  so  are  there  in  states: 

"  Il)«;  otiam  caecos  instare  tumultis 

Saepe  monet,  fraudesque  et  operta  tumescere  bella."  § 

♦  This  passage  may  at  first  sight  appear  somewhat  contradic- 
tory; but  he  means  to  say  that  those  who  are  first  ennobled  will 
commonly  be  found  to  be  more  conspicuous  for  the  prominence 
of  their  qualities,  both  good  and  bad. 

t  Consistent  with  reason  and  justice, 

t  The  peiiods  of  the  Equinoxes. 

\  'He  often  warns,  too,  that  secret  revolt  is  impending,  that 
treaoherv  and  open  warfare  are  ready  to  burst  forth." 


52  <        B  A  VON '8  ESSAYS. 

Libels  and  licentious  discourses  against  the  state,  when 
they  are  frequent  and  open;  and  in  like  sort  false  news, 
often  running  up  and  down,  to  the  disadvantage  of  tlie 
state,  and  hastily  embraced,  are  amongst  the  signs  of 
troubles.  Virgil,  giving  the  pedigree  of  Fame,  saitli 
she  was  sister  to  the  giants: 

"Illam  Terra  parens,  h-a  iiritata  Deonim, 
Extremam  (ut  perhibent)  Coeo  Enceladoque  sororem 
Progenuit."  * 

As  if  fames  were  the  relics  of  seditions  past;  but  they 
are  no  less  indeed  the  preludes  of  seditions  to  come. 
Howsoever  he  noteth  it  right,  that  seditious  tumults  and 
seditious  fames  differ  no  more  but  as  brother  and  sister, 
masculine  and  feminine;  especially  if  it  come  to  that, 
that  the  best  actions  of  a  state,  and  the  most  plausible. 
and  whicli  ought  to  give  greatest  contentment,  are  taken 
in  ill  sense,  and  traduced:  for  that  shows  the  envy 
great,  as  Tacitus  sailh,  "  Conflata  magna  invidia,  seu 
bene,  seu  male;  gesta  premunt."f  Neither  doth  it  fol- 
low, that  because  these  fames  are  a  sign  of  troubles, 
that  the  suppressing  of  them  with  too  much  severity 
should  be  a  remedy  of  troubles;  for  the  despising  of 
them  many  times  checks  them  best,  and  the  going  about 
to  stop  them  doth  but  make  a  wonder  long-lived.  Also 
that  kind  of  obedience,  which  Tncitus  speaketh  of,  is 
to  be  held  suspected:  "  Erant  in  officio,  ced  tamen  qui 

*  "  Mother  Earth,  exasperated  at  the  wrath  of  the  Deities,  pro 
duced  her,  as  they  t«ll,  a  last  birth,  a  sister  to  the  giants  Cceus 
and  Enceladus." 

+  "  Great  public  odium  or.ce  excited,  his  deeds,  whether  good 
or  whether  bad,  cause  liis  downfall."  Bacon  has  here  quoted  in- 
correctly, probably  from  memory.  The  words  of  Tacitus  are 
(Hist.  B.  i.  C.  7) — "Inviso  semel  principe,  seu  bene,  seu  male, 
facta  i)remunt,"— "  The  ruler  once  detested,  his  actions,  whether 
Rootl  or  whether  bad,  cause  his  downfalL'' 


OF  SEmTW2i'6  ANB   TROUBLED.  53 

mallent  imperantium  mandata  interpretari,  quam  ex- 
scqiii;"*  disputing,  excusing,  cavilling  upon  mandates 
and  directions,  is  a  kind  of  shaking  off  the  yoke,  and 
assay  of  disobedience;  especially  if  in  those  disputings 
they  which  are  for  the  direction  speak  fearfully  and 
tenderly,  and  those  that  are  against  it  audaciously. 

Also,  as  Machiavel  noteth  well,  when  princes,  that 
ougiit  to  be  common  parents,  make  themselves  as  a 
party,  and  lean  to  a  side;  it  is,  as  a  boat  tiiat  is  over- 
thrown by  uneven  weight  on  the  one  side;  as  was 
well  seen  in  the  time  of  Henry  the  Third  of  France; 
for  first  himself  entered  league  f  for  the  extirpation  of 
the  Protestants,  and  presently  after  the  same  league 
was  turned  upon  himself  :  for  when  the  authority  ot 
])rinces  is  made  but  an  accessory  to  a  cause,  and  that 
there  be  other  bands  that  tie  faster  than  the  band  of  sov- 
ereignty, kings  begin  to  be  put  almost  out  of  possession. 

Also,  when  discords,  and  quarrels,  and  factions,  are 
carried  openly  and  audaciously,  it  is  a  sign  the  rever- 
ence of  government  is  lost ;  for  the  motions  of  the  great- 
est persons  in  a  government  ought  to  be  as  the  motions 
of  the  planets  under  "  primum  mobile,"  %  according  to 
the  old  opinion,  wnich  is,  that  every  of  them  is  carried 
swiftly  by  the  highest  motion,  and  softly  in  their  own 

*  "They  attended  to  their  duties,  but  still,  as  preferring  rather 
to  disciLss  the  commands  of  their  rulers,  than  to  obey  them." 

+  He  alludes  to  tlie  bad  policy  of  Henry  the  Third  of  Fi-ance, 
■who  esp<.)used  the  part  of  "  the  League"  which  was  formed  by 
the  Duke  of  Guise  and  other  Catholics  for  the  extirpation  of  the 
Pi-otestant  faith.  When  too  late,  he  discovered  his  error,  and, 
finding  his  own  authority  entii-ely  superseded,  he  caused  the 
Duke  of  Guise  and  the  Cardinal  De  Lon-aiue,  his  brother,  to  be 
assas!!inated. 

i  "The  primary  motive  power."  He  alludes  to  an  imaginary 
center  of  gravitation,  or  central  body,  which  was  supposed  to 
■et  all  the  other  heavenly  bodies  in  motion. 


54  BACON'S  ESS  ATS. 

motion;  and  therefore,  when  great  ones  in  their  owB 
particular  motion  move  violently,  ana  as  Tacllns  ex- 
presseth  it  well,  "liberius  quani  ut  imperantium  mem- 
inissent,"*  it  is  a  sign  the  orbs  are  out  of  frame:  for 
reverence  is  that  wherewith  princes  are  girt  from  God, 
who  threateneth  the  dissolving  thereof;  "  Solvara  ciu- 
gula  regum."  f 

So  when  any  of  the  four  pillars  of  government  are 
mainly  shaken  or  weakened  (which  are  religion,  justice, 
counsel,  and  treasure),  men  had  need  to  pray  for  fair 
weather.  But  let  us  pass  from  this  part  of  predictions 
jconcerniug  which,  nevertheless,  more  light  may  be 
taken  from  that  which  followeth),  and  let  us  speak  first 
of  the  materials  of  seditions;  then  of  the  motives  of 
Ihem;  and  thirdly  of  the  remedies. 

Concerning  the  materials  of  seditions,  it  is  a  thing 
well  to  be  considered;  for  the  surest  way  to  prevent  se- 
ditions (if  the  times  do  bear  it)  is  to  take  away  the  matter 
of  them;  for  if  there  be  fuel  prepared,  it  is  hard  to  tell 
whence  the  spark  shall  come  that  shall  set  it  on  tire. 
The  matter  of  seditions  is  of  two  kinds;  much  poverty 
and  nuich  discontentment.  It  is  certain,  so  many  over- 
thrown estates,  so  many  votes  for  troubles.  Lucaa 
noteth  well  the  state  of  Rome  before  the  civil  war: 

"  Hinc  usura  vorax,  rapidumque  in  tempore  foenus, 
Hinc  concussa  fides,  et  multis  utile  bellum."$ 

♦  "Too  freely  to  remember  their  ovm  rulers." 

+  "I  will  unloose  the  girdles  of  kings."  He  probably  alludes 
here  to  the  first  verse  of  the  4.')th  chapter  of  Isaiah:  "  Thus  saith 
the  Lord  to  his  anointed,  to  Cyrus,  whose  right  hand  I  have  up- 
holden,  to  subdue  nations  before  him:  and  I  will  loose  the  loins 
of  kings,  to  open  before  him  the  two-leaved  gates." 

X  "  Hence  devouring  usury,  and  interest  accumulating  in  lapse 
of  time,— hence  shaken  credit,  and  waifare,  profit-ible  to  i\t 
many." 


OF  SEDITIONS  AND   TROUBLES.  5C 

This  same  "  multis  utile  bellum,"  *  is  an  assured  autl  in- 
fallible sv^ix  of  a  stale  disposed  to  seditious  aud  troubles; 
and  if  Ibis  poverty  and  brokeu  estate  iu  the  better  sort 
be  joined  with  a  want  and  necessity  iu  the  mean  people 
the  danger  is  imniineut  and  great:  for  the  rebellions  of 
the  belly  are  the  worst.  As  for  discontentments,  they 
arc  in  the  politic  body  like  to  humors  iu  the  natural, 
^\  hich  are  apt  to  gather  a  preternatural  heat  and  to  in 
flame;  and  let  no  priucc  measure  the  danger  of  them 
by  this,  whether  they  be  just  or  unjust:  for  that  were 
to  imagine  people  to  be  too  reasonable,  who  do  often 
spurn  at  their  own  good;  nor  j'et  by  this,  whether  I  lie 
griefs  whereupon  they  rise  be  in  fact  great  or  small; 
for  they  are  the  most  dangerous  discontentments  where 
tlie  fear  is  greater  than  the  feeling:  "Dolcndi  modus, 
liniendi  nou  item:"f  besides,  in  great  oppressions,  the 
same  things  that  provoke  the  patience,  do  withal  mate  J 
the  courage;  but  in  fears  it  is  not  so;  neither  let  any 
prince  or  state  be  secure  concerning  discontentments, 
because  they  have  been  often,  or  have  been  long,  and 
yet  no  peril  hath  ensued:  for  as  it  is  true  that  every  va- 
por or  fume  doth  not  turn  into  a  storm,  so  it  is  never- 
tiieless  true  that  storms,  though  they  blow  over  divers 
tim(!S,  yet  may  fall  at  last;  and,  as  the  Spanish  proverb 
uotetli  well,  "  The  cord  breaketh  at  the  last  by  the 
weakest  pull."§ 

The  causes  and  motives  of  seditions  are.  innovation 
in  religion,  taxes,  alteration  of  laws  and  customs,  break- 
ing of  privileges,  general  oppression,  advancement  of  un- 
worthy persons,  strangers,  dearths,  disbanded  soldiers, 

*  "  Warfare  profitable  to  tlie  many." 
+  "  To  grief  there  is  a  limit,  not  so  to  fear." 
X  "  Check,"  or  "  daunt." 

§  Tills  is  similar  to  the  proverb  now  in  common  use:  "  'Tis  the 
lost  foatUer  that  breaks  the  back  of  the  camel." 


56  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

fiictions  growa  desperate:  and  whatsoever  in  offt-udiug 
people  joinelU  and  knitteth  tlieni  in  a  common  cause. 

For  the  remedies,  there  may  be  sonae  general  preserv- 
atives, whereof  we  will  speak:  as  for  the  just  cure,  it 
must  answer  to  the  pjirticular  disease :  aud  so  be  left  to 
counsel  rather  than  rule. 

The  first  remedy,  or  prevention,  is  to  remove  by  all 
means  possible  that  material  cause  of  sedition  whereof 
we  spake,  which  is,  want  and  poverty  in  the  estate:*  to 
which  purpose  servetli  tlie  opening  and  well-balancing 
of  trade;  the  cherishing  of  manufactures;  tlie  banish- 
ing of  idleness;  the  repressing  of  waste  and  excess,  by 
sumptuary  laws;f  the  improvement  aud  husbanding  of 
the  soil;  the  regulating  of  prices  of  things  vendible; 
tlie  moderating  of  taxes  and  tributes,  and  the  like. 
Generally,  it  is  to  be  foreseen  that  the  population  of 
a  kingdom  (especially  if  it  be  not  mown  down  by  wars) 
do  not  exceed  the  stock  of  the  kingdom  which  should 
maintain  them:  neither  is  the  population  to  be  reckoned 
only  by  numV)er;  for  a  smaller  number,  that  spend 
more  and  earn  less,  do  wear  out  an  estate  sooner  tlian  a 
greater  number  that  live  lower  and  gather  more:  there- 
fore the  mulitplying  of  nobility,  and  other  degrees  of 
quality,  i.i  an  over  pi'oportion  to  the  common  people, 

*  The  state. 

t  Though  sumptuary  laws  are  probably  just  ia  theory,  they 
have  been  found  impracticable  in  any  other  than  infant  states. 
Their  principle,  however,  is  certainly  recognized  in  such  coun- 
tries as  by  statutory  enactment  discountenance  gaming.  Those 
who  are  opposed  to  such  laws  upon  principle,  would  do  well  to 
look  into  Bernard  Mandeville's  "  Fable  of  the  Bees," — or  "  Private 
Vices  Public  Benefits."  The  Romans  had  numerous  sumptuary 
laws,  and  in  the  middle  ages  there  were  many  enactments  in 
this  country  against  excess  of  expenditure  upon  wearing  apparel 
and  the  pleasures  of  the  table. 


OF  SEUITIONS  AJ\I>   TROUBLES..        5? 

doth  speedily  bring  a  state  to  necessity;  and  so  doth 
likewise  an  overgrown  clergy,  for  tliey  bring  nothing  to 
the  stock;*  and,  in  like  manner,  when  more  are  bred 
scholars  tlian  prefennents  can  take  off. 

It  is  likewise  to  be  remembered,  that,  forasmucli  as 
the  increase  of  any  estate  must  be  upon  the  foreigner  \ 
(for  whatsoever  is  somewhere  gotten  is  somewhere  lost), 
there  be  but  three  things  which  one  nation  selleth  unto 
another;  the  commodity,  as  nature  yieldeth  it;  the 
manufacture;  and  the  vecture,  or  carriage;  so  tliat,  if 
these  three  wheels  go,  wealth  will  flow  as  in  a  spring 
tide  And  it  comcth  many  times  to  pass,  that,  "  mate- 
riam  superabit  opus,"|  that  the  work  and  carriage  is 
more  worth  than  the  material,  and  enricheth  a  state 
more:  as  is  notably  seen  in  the  Low  Countrymen,  who 
have  the  best  mines  §  above  ground  in  the  world. 

Above  all  things,  good  policy  is  to  be  used,  that  the 
treasure  and  monies  in  a  state  be  not  gathered  into  few 
hands;  for,  otherwise,  a  state  may  have  a  great  stock, 
and  yet  starve;  and  money  is  like  muck,  J  not  good  ex- 
cept to  be  spread.  This  is  done  chiefly  by  suppressing, 
or,  at  least,  keeping  a  straight  hand  upon  the  devouring 
trades  of  usury,  engrossing  great  pasturages,  and  the 
like. 

For  removing  discontentments,  or,  at  least,  the  dan- 
ger of  them,  there  is  in  every  state  (as  we  know)  two 
portions  of  subjects,  the  nobles  and  commonalty. 
When  one  of  these  is  discontent,  the  danger  is  not 

*  He  means  that  they  do  not  add  to  the  capital  of  the  country. 
+  At  the  exx^ense  of  forei^  countries. 

t  "The  worlcraanship  will  surpass  the  material."'— Ovid,  Met 
amorph.    B.  ii.  1,  .5. 
§  He  alludes  to  the  manufactures  of  Low  Countries. 
I  Like  maiuiro. 


58  BAUOIf'S  JiSiJAYS. 

great.;  for  common  people  are  of  slow  motion,  if  lliey 
be  not  excited  by  the  greater  sort;  and  the  greater  sort 
are  of  small  strength  except  the  multitude  be  apt  and 
ready  to  move  of  themselves;  then  is  the  danger,  when 
the  greater  sort  do  but  wait  for  the  troubling  of  the 
waters  among  tlie  meaner,  tliat  then  they  may  declare 
themselves.  The  poets  feign  tliat  the  rest  of  the  gods 
would  have  bound  Jupiter;  which  he  hearing  of,  by  the 
counsel  of  Pallas,  sent  for  Briareus.  with  his  Inmdred 
hands,  to  come  in  to  his  aid:  an  emblem,  no  doubt,  to 
show  how  safe  it  is  for  monarchs  to  make  sure  of  the 
good  will  of  common  people. 

To  give  moderate  liberty  for  griefs  and  discontent- 
ments to  evaporate  (so  it  be  without  too  great  insolency 
or  bravery),  is  a  safe  way:  for  he  that  turneth  the  hu- 
mors back,  and  maketh  the  wound  bleed  inwards, 
endangereth  malign  ulcers  and  pernicious  imposthuma- 
tions. 

The  part  of  Epimetheus  *  might  well  become  Prome- 
theus, in  the  case  of  discontentments,  for  there  is  not  a 
better  provision  against  them.  Epimetheus,  when 
griefs  and  evils  flow  abroad,  at  last  shut  the  lid,  and 
kept  hope  in  the  bottom  of  the  vessel.     Certainly,  the 


*  The  myth  of  Pandora's  box,  -which  is  here  referred  to,  is  re- 
lated in  the  "  Works  and  Days"  of  Hesiod.  Epimetheus  was  tlie 
personification  of  "Afterthouglit,"  while  his  brotlier  Prometheus 
represented  "  Forethought,"  or  prudence.  It  was  not  Epime- 
theus that  opened  the  box,  but  Pandora, — "All-gift,"  whom, 
contrary  to  the  advice  of  his  brother,  he  had  received  at  the 
hands  of  Mercury,  and  had  made  his  wife.  In  their  house  stood 
a  closed  jar,  which  they  were  forbidden  to  open.  Till  her  arrival 
this  had  been  kept  untouched;  but  her  curiosity  prompting  her 
to  open  the  lid,  all  the  evils  hitherto  xmknown  to  man  flew  out 
and  spread  over  the  earth,  and  she  only  shut  it  down  in  time  to 
prevent  the  escape  of  Hope. 


OF  SEDITIONS  AND   TROUBLES.  5J 

politic  and  artificial  nourishing  and  entertaining  of 
hopes,  and  carrying  mt-n  from  hopes  to  hopes,  is  one  of 
best  antidotes  against  the  poison  of  discontentments: 
and  it  is  a  certain  sign  of  a  wise  government  and  pro- 
ceeding, when  it  can  hold  men's  hearts  by  hopes,  when 
it  cannot  by  satisfaction;  and  wlicn  it  can  handle  things 
ill  such  manner  as  no  evil  shall  appear  so  peremptory  but 
that  it  hath  some  outlet  of  hope;  which  is  the  less  hard 
to  do,  because  botli  particular  persons  and  factious  are 
apt  enough  to  flatter  themselves,  or  at  least  to  brave 
that  which  they  believe  not. 

Also  tlie  foresight  and  prevention,  that  there  be  no 
likely  or  fit  head  whereunto  discontented  persons  may 
resort,  and  under  whom  they  maj'  join,  is  a  known,  but 
an  excellent  point  of  caution.  I  understand  a  fit  head 
to  be  one  that  hatii  greatness  and  reputation,  that  hath 
contidence  with  the  discontented  party,  and  ajwu  whom 
they  turn  their  eyes,  and  that  is  thought  discontented  in 
his  own  particular:  which  kind  of  persons  are  either  to 
be  won  and  reconciled  to  the  state,  and  that  in  a  fast 
and  true  manner;  or  to  be  fronted  with  some  other  of 
the  same  party  that  may  oppose  them,  and  so  divide 
the  reputation.  Generally,  the  dividing  and  breaking 
of  all  factions  and  combinations  that  are  adverse  to  tlie 
state,  and  setting  them  at  distance,  or,  at  least,  dis- 
trust amongst  themselves,  is  not  one  of  the  worst 
remedies;  for  it  it  a  desperate  case,  if  those  that  hold 
with  the  proceeding  of  the  state  be  full  of  discord  and 
faction,  and  those  that  are  against  it  be  entire  and 
united. 

I  have  noted,  that  some  witty  and  sharp  speeches, 
which  have  fallen  from  princes,  have  given  fire  to  sedi- ' 
tious.     Caesar  did  himself  infinite  hurt  in  that  speech— 


60  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

"Sylla  nescivit  literas,  non  potuit  dictarc;"*  for  it  did 
utterly  cut  off  that  hope  which  meu  liad  eutcrtaiued, 
that  he  would  at  one  time  or  other  give  over  liis  dicta- 
torship. Galb  undid  himself  l)y  that  speech,  "Legi  a 
se  militem,  non  emi;"f  for  it  put  the  soldiers  out  of 
hope  of  the  donative.  Probus,  likewise,  by  that  speech, 
"Si  vixero,  non  opus  erit  amplius  Romano  imperio 
militibus;"^:  a  speech  of  great  despair  for  the  soldiers, 
and  many  the  like.  Surely  princes  had  need  in  tender 
matters  and  ticklish  times  to  beware  what  they  say,  es- 
pecially in  these  short  speeches,  which  fly  abroad  like 
darts,  and  are  thought  to  be  shot  out  of  their  secret  in- 
tentions; for  as  for  large  discourses,  they  are  flat  things, 
and  not  so  much  noted. 

Lastly,  let  princes,  against  all  events,  not  be  without 
some  great  person,  one  or  rather  more,  of  military  valor, 
near  unto  them,  for  the  repressing  of  seditions  in  their 
beginnings;  for  without  that,  there  useth  to  be  more 
trepidation  in  court  upon  the  first  breaking  out  of  trou- 
bles than  were  fit;  and  the  state  runneth  the  danger  of 
that  which  Tacitus  saith;  "  Atque  is  habitus  animorura 
fuit,  ut  pessimum  facinus  auderent  pauci,  plures  vellent 


*  "  Sylla  did  not  know  his  letters,  and  so  he  could  not  dictate." 
This  saying  is  attributed  by  Suetonius  to  Julius  Caesar.  It  is  a 
play  on  the  Latin  verb  "dictare,"  which  means  either  "to  dic- 
tate," or  "  to  act  the  part  of  Dictator,"  according  to  the  context. 
As  this  saying  was  presumed  to  be  a  reflection  on  Sylla's  ignor- 
ance, and  to  imply  that  by  reason  thereof  he  was  unable  to  main- 
tain his  power,  it  was  concluded  by  the  Roman  people  that  Cea- 
sar,  who  was  an  elegant  scholar,  feeling  himself  subject  to  no 
such  inability,  did  not  intend  speedily  to  yield  the  reins  of 
'  power. 

+  "  That  soldiers  were  levied  by  him,  not  bought." 
i  "  If  I  live,  there  ehall  no  longer  be  need  of  soldiers  in  the 
Roman  empire." 


OF  ATHEISM.  61 

omnes,  paterenlur:"*  biit  let  such  military  persons  be 
assured,  iiud  well  rcpiitod  of,  rather  than  factious  and 
popular;  holding  also  good  correspondence  wiLh  the 
other  great  men  in  the  state,  or  else  the  remed}'  is  worse 
than  the  disease. 


XVI.— OF  ATHEISM. 

I  HAD  rather  believe  all  the  fables  in  the  legend, f  and 
tiie  Talmud, :f  and  the  Alcoran,  than  that  this  universal 
frame  is  without  a  mind;  and,  therefore,  God  never 
wrought  miracle  to  convince  atheism,  because  his  ordi- 
nary works  convince  it.  It  is  true,  tliat  a  little  philoso- 
phy ^  indineth  man's  mind  to  atheism,  but  depth  in  plii- 
losopliy  briugeth  men's  minds  about  to  religion;  for 
while  the  mind  of  man  looketh  upon  second  causes  scat- 
tered, it  may  sometimes  rest  in  them,  and  go  no  further* 
but  when  it  beholdeth  the  chain  of  them  confederate, 
aud  linked  together,  it  must  needs  fly  to  Providence  and 
Deity:  nay,  even  that  school  which  is  most  accused  of 
atheism  doth  most  demonstrate  religion:  that  is,  the 


*  "  And  such  was  the  state  of  feeling',  that  a  few  dared  to  per- 
petrate the  worst  of  crimes;  more  wished  to  do  so,  all  submitted 
to  it." 

+  He  probably  alludes  to  the  legends  or  miraculous  stories  of 
the  saitits,  such  as  walking  with  their  heads  off,  preaching  to  the 
fishes,  sailing  over  the  sea  on  a  cloak,  etc.,  etc. 

X  This  is  the  book  that  contains  the  Jewish  traditions,  and  the 
Rabbinical  explanations  of  tJie  law.  It  is  replete  with  wonderful 
narratives. 

§  This  passage  not  improbably  contains  the  germ  of  Pope's 
famous  lines, — 

"  A  little  learning  is  a  dangerotis  thing; 
Drink  deep,  or  taste  not  the  Pierian  spnng.". 


63  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

school  of  Leucippus,*  and  Democritus.f  and  Epicurus 
for  it  is  a  tliousand  times  more  credible  that  four  muta- 
ble elements,  and  one  immutable  fiftli  essence.^  duly 
and  eternally  placed,  need  no  God,  than  tliat  an  army 
of  infinite  small  portions,  or  seeds  uHpIaced,  should 
have  produced  this  order  and  beauty  without  a  divine 
marshal.  Tlie  Scripture  saith,  "  The  fool  hath  said  iu 
his  heart,  there  is  no  God;"§  it  is  not  said,  "The  fool 
bath  thought  in  his  heart;"  so  as  he  rather  saith  it  by 
rote  to  himself,  as  that  he  would  have,  than  that  he  can 
thoroughly  believe  it,  or  be  persuaded  of  it;  for  none 
deny  there  is  a  God,  but  those  for  whom  it  maketh||  that 
there  were  no  God.  It  appearelli  in  nollilug  more,  that 
atheism  is  rather  iu  the  lip  than  in  the  heart  of  man, 
than  by  this,  that  atheists  will  ever  be  talking  of  that 
tlieir  opinion,  as  if  they  fainted  in  it  within  themselves, 
^uid  would  be  glad  to  be  strengthened  by  the  consent  of 
others;  nay  more,  j'ou  shall  have  atheists  strive  to  get 
disciples,  as  it  fareth  with  other  sects;  and,  which  is 
most  of  all,  you  shall  have  of  them  that  will  suffer  for 
atheism,  and  not  recant;  whereas,  if  they  did  truly  think 
that  there  were  no  such  thing  as  God,  why  should  they 


*  A  Philosopher  of  Abdera;  the  first  who  taught  the  system  of 
atoms,  which  was  afterwards  more  fully  developed  by  Democri- 
tus  and  Epicuni.s. 

+  He  was  a  disciple  of  the  last  named  philosopher,  and  held 
the  same  principles:  he  also  denied  the  existence  of  the  soul 
after  death.  He  is  considered  to  have  been  the  parent  of  experi- 
mental Philosophy,  and  was  the  first  to  teach,  what  is  now  con- 
firmed by  science,  that  the  Milky  Way  is  an  accumulation  of 
stars. 

t  Spirit. 

§  Psalm  xiv.  1,  and  liii.  1. 

I  To  whose  (seeming)  advantage  it  is;  the  wish  being  father  to 
the  thought. 


OF  ATHEISM.  6S 

trouble  themselves?  Epicurus  is  charged,  that  he  did 
but  dissemble  for  his  credit's  sake,  when  he  affirmed 
llicrc  were  blessed  natures,  but  such  as  enjoyed  tliem- 
selvcs  witliout  having  respect  to  the  government  of  the 
world;  wliorein  they  say  he  did  temporize,  though  in 
secret  he  thought  there  was  no  God:  but  certainly  he  is 
traduced,  for  his  words  are  noble  and  divine:  "Non 
Deos  vulgi  negare  profanum;  sed  vulgi  opiniones  Diis 
ajiplicare  profanum."  *  Plato  could  have  said  no  more; 
and  although  he  had  the  confidence  to  deny  the  admin- 
istration, he  had  not  the  power  to  deny  the  nature. 
The  Indiansf  of  the  west  have  names  for  their  particti- 
lar  gods,  though  the}' have  no  name  for  God:  as  if  the 
heathens  should  have  had  the  names  Jupiter,  Apollo, 
Mars,  etc.,  but  not  the  word  Deus,  which  shows  that 
even  those  barbarous  people  have  the  notion,  though 
they  have  not  the  latitude  and  extent  of  it;  so  that 
against  atheists  the  very  savages  take  part  with  the 
very  subtlest  philosophers.  The  contemplative  atheist 
is  rare;  a  Diagoras,]:  a  Bion,§  a  Lucianj|  perhaps,  and 


*  "  It  is  not  profane  to  deny  the  exigtence  of  the  Deities  of  the 
vulgar:  but  to  apply  to  the  Divinities  the  received  notions  of  the 
vulpar  is  profane." 

+  He  alludes  to  the  native  tribes  of  the  continent  of  America 
and  the  West  Indies. 

J  He  was  an  Athenian  philosopher,  who  from  the  greatest  su- 
perstition became  an  avowed  atheist.  He  was  proscribed  l>y  the 
Areiopagus  for  speaking  against  the  gods  with  ridicule  and  con- 
tempt, and  is  supposed  to  have  died  at  Corinth. 

§  A  Greek  philosopher,  a  disciple  of  Theodorus  the  atheist,  t<j 
whose  opinions  he  adhered.  His  life  was  said  to  have  been  prof- 
ligate, and  his  death  superstitious. 

i  Lucian  ridiculed  the  follies  and  pretensions  of  some  of  the 
ancient  philosophers:  but  though  the  freedom  of  his  style  was 
such  as  to  cause  him  to  he  censured  for  impiety,  he  hardly  dc 


64-  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

some  others;  nnd  yet  they  seem  to  be  more  than  they 
are;  for  that  all  that  impugn  a  received  religion,  or  su- 
perstition, are,  by  the  adverse  part,  branded  wilh  the 
name  of  atheists;  but  the  great  atheists  indeed  are 
hypocrites,  which  nrc  ever  handling  holy  things  but 
without  feeling;  so  as  they  must  needs  be  cauterized 
in  the  end.  Tlie  causes  of  atheism  are,  divisions  in 
religion,  if  tliey  be  many;  for  any  one  main  division 
addetli  zeal  to  both  sides,  but  many  divisions  intro- 
duce atheism:  another  is,  scandal  of  priests,  when  it 
is  come  to  that  which  St.  Bernard  saith,  "Non  est 
jam  dicere,  ut  popuius,  sic  sacerdos;  quia  ceo  sic 
populus,  ut  sacerdos:"*  a  third  is,  custom  of  profane 
scoffing  in  holy  matters,  which  doth  by  little  and 
little  deface  the  reverence  of  religion;  and  lastly, 
learned  times,  specially  with  peace  and  prosperity;  for 
troubles  and  adversities  do  more  bow  men's  minds  to 
religion.  They  that  deny  a  God  destroy  a  man's  no- 
bility; for  certainly  man  is  of  kin  to  the  beasts  by  his 
body;  and  if  he  be  not  of  kin  to  God  by  his  spirit,  lie 
is  a  base  and  ignoble  creature.  It  destroys  likewise 
magnanimitj%  and  the  raising  of  human  nature;  for 
take  an  example  of  a  dog,  and  mark  what  a  generosity 
and  courage  he  will  put  on  when  he  finds  himself  main- 
tained by  a  man,  who  to  him  is  instead  of  a  God,  or 


serves  the  stigma  of  atheism  here  cast  upon  him  by  the  learned 
author. 

*  "  It  is  not  for  us  now  to  say, '  Like  priest  like  people,'  for  the 
people  are  not  even  so  bad  as  the  priest."  St.  Bernard,  abbot 
of  Clairvaux,  preached  the  second  Crusade  against  the  Saracens, 
and  was  unsparing  in  his  censures  of  the  ^ina  then  prevalent 
among  ttie  Christian  priesthood.  His  writings  are  voluminous, 
and  by  some  he  has  been  considered  as  the  latest  of  the  fatherB 
of  the  Churck 


OF  SUPERSTITION.  6S 

melior  natura;"*  which  courage  is  manifestly  such  as 
that  creature,  without  that  coufidence  of  a  better  na- 
ture than  his  own,  could  never  attain.  So  man,  when 
lie  resteth  and  assureth  himself  upon  divine  protection 
and  favor,  gathereth  a  force  and  faith,  which  human 
nature  in  itself  could  not  obtain;  therefore,  as  atheism 
is  in  all  respects  hateful,  so  in  this,  that  it  depriveth  hu- 
man nature  of  the  means  to  exalt  itself  above  human 
frailty.  As  it  is  in  particular  i^ersons,  so  it  is  in  na- 
tions: never  was  there  such  a  state  for  magnanimity  as 
Rome.  Of  this  state  hear  what  Cicero  saith:  "  Quam 
volumus,  licet,  Patres  conscripli,  nos  araemus,  tamen 
nee  numero  Hispanos,  nee  robore  Gallos,  nee  calliditate 
Poenos,  nee  artibus  Graecos,  nee  denique  hoc  ipso  hujus 
gentis  et  terrae  domestic©  nativoque  sensu  Italos  ipsos 
et  Latinos;  sed  pietate,  ac  religione,  atque  hac  una 
sapientia,  quod  Deorum  immortalium  numiue  omnia 
regi,  gubernarique  perspeximus,  omues  geutes,  nalion- 
«sque  superavimus."f 

XVII.— OF  SUPERSTITION. 

It  were  better  to  have  no  opinion  of  God  at  all  than 
such  an  opinion  as  is  unworthy  of  him;  for  the  one  is 


•  "A  BuperJor  nature." 

t  "  We  may  admire  ourselves,  conscript  fathers,  as  much  as 
we  please:  still,  neither  by  numbers  did  ii'<?  vanquish  the  Span- 
lards,  nor  by  bodily  strength  the  Gauls,  nor  by  cunning  the  Car- 
thaginians, nor  through  the  arts  the  Greeks,  nor,  in  fine,  by  the 
inborn  and  native  good  sense  of  tliis  our  nation,  and  this  our 
race  and  soil,  the  Italian'^  and  latins  themselves;  but  through 
our  devotion  and  our  religious  feeling,  and  this,  the  sole  iru/' 
wisdom,  the  having  pen^elvcd  that  all  things  are  regulated  an/ 
governed  by  the  providence  of  the  immortal  Gods,  have  we  suk 
dued  all  race.s  and  nation.s." 


66  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

unbelief;  the  other  is  contumely :  *  and  certainly  super- 
stition is  the  reproach  of  the  Diety.  Plutarch  suilh 
well  to  that  purpose,  "Surely,"  saith  he,  "  I  had  rather 
a  great  deal  men  should  say  there  was  no  such  man  at 
all  {IS  Plutarch,  than  that  they  should  say  that  there 
was  one  Plutarch  that  would  eat  his  children  f  as  soon 
as  they  were  born;"  as  the  poets  speak  of  Saturn:  and, 
as  the  contumely  is  greater  towards  God,  so  the  danger 
is  greater  towards  men.  Atheism  leaves  a  man  to 
sense,  to  philosophy,  to  natural  piety,  to  laws,  to  repu- 
tation: all  which  may  be  guides  to  an  outward  moral 
virtue,  though  religion  were  not;  but  superstition  dis- 
mounts all  these,  and  erecteth  an  absolute  monarchy  in 
the  minds  of  men:  therefore,  atheism  did  never  perturb 
states;  for  it  makes  men  wary  of  themselves,  as  hooking 
no  further,  and  we  see  the  limes  inclined  to  atheism  (as 
the  time  of  Augustus  Caesar)  were  civil  limes;  but  su- 
perstition hath  been  the  confusion  of  many  states,  and 
bringeth  in  a  new  "primum  mobile,"  t  that  ravisheth 
all  the  spheres  of  government.  The  master  of  supersti- 
tion is  the  people,  and  in  all  superstition  wise  men  fol- 
low fools :  and  arguments  are  fitted  to  practice  in  a  re- 
versed order.  It  was  gravely  said  by  some  of  the 
prelates  in  the  Council  of  Trent,§  where  the  doctrine  of 
the  schoolmen  bare  great  sway,  that  the  schoolmen 

♦  The  justice  of  this  position  is  perhaps  somewhat  doubtful. 
The  superstitious  man  must  have  some  scruples,  while  he  who 
beUeves  not  in  a  God  (if  there  is  such  a  person)  needs  have  none. 

i  Time  was  j)ersonifled  in  Saturn,  and  by  this  story  was  meant 
its  tendency  to  destroy  whatever  it  has  brought  into  existence. 

i  The  primary  motive  power. 

§  This  Council  commenced  in  1.545,  and  lasted  eighteen  years. 
It  was  convened  for  the  purpose  of  opposing  tlie  rising  spirit  of 
Protestantism,  and  of  discussing  and  settling  the  disputed  poiuCa 
of  the  Catholic  faith. 


OF  SUPEIiSTITION.  67 

were  like  astonomers,  whidi  did  feign  eccentrics  *  and 
epicycles,!  and  such  eugiues  of  orbs  to  savef  the  phe- 
nomena, though  they  knew  there  were  no  such  things; 
and,  in  like  manner,  that  the  schoolmen  had  framed  a 
number  of  subtle  and  intricate  axioms  and  theorems,  to 
save  the  practice  of  the  Church.  Tlie  causes  of  super- 
stition arc,  pleasing  and  sensual  rites  and  ceremonies; 
excess  of  outward  and  pharisaical  holiness;  overgreat 
reverence  of  traditions,  which  cannot  but  load  the 
Church;  the  strategems  of  prelates  for  their  own  ambi- 
tion and  lucre;  tlie  favoring  too  much  of  good  intentions, 
which  openeth  the  gate  to  conceits  and  novelties;  the 
taking  an  aim  at  divine  matters  by  human,  which  can- 
not but  breed  mixture  of  imaginations;  and,  lastly,  bar- 
barous limes,  especially  joined  with  calamities  and 
disasters.  Superstition,  without  a  veil,  is  a  deformed 
thing;  for  as  it  addeth  deformity  to  an  ape  to  be  so  like 
a  man,  so  the  similitude  of  superstition  to  religion 
makes  it  the  more  deformed:  and  as  wholesome  meat 
corrupteth  to  little  worms,  so  good  forms  and  orders 
corrupt  into  a  number  of  petty  observances.  There  is  a 
superstition  ia  avoiding  superstition,  when  men  think 
to  do  best  if  they  go  furthest  from  the  superstition  for- 
merly received;  therefore  care  would  be  had  that  (as  it 
fareth  in  ill  purgings)  the  good  be  not  taken  away  with 
the  bad,  which  commonly  is  done  when  the  people  is 
the  reformer. 


♦  Irregular  or  anomalous  movements. 

t  Ao  epicycle  is  a  smallercircle,  whose  center  is  in  the  circum- 
ference of  a  greater  one. 
%  To  account  for. 


68  B  A  COIN'S  ESSAYS. 


XVIII.— OF  TRAVEL. 

Travel,  ia  tbe  younger  sort,  is  a  part  of  education; 
in  llie  elder,  a  part  of  experience.  He  tliat  traveleth 
into  a  country,  before  he  hatli  some  entrance  into  tbe 
language,  goeth  to  scliool,  and  not  to  aavel.  Tliat 
j'ouug  men  travel  under  some  tutor  or  grave  servant,  I 
allow  well;  so  that  he  be  sucli  a  one  that  hath  the  lan- 
guage, and  hatli  been  in  the  couutr}-- before;  whereby 
he  may  be  able  to  tell  them  what  things  are  worthy  to 
be  seen  in  tlie  country  where  they  go,  what  acquaint- 
ances they  are  to  seek,  what  exercises  or  discipline  the 
place  yielded;  for  else  young  men  shall  go  hooded,  and 
look  abroad  little.  It  is  a  strange  thing,  that  in  sea 
voyages,  where  there  is  nothing  to  be  seen  but  sky  and 
sea,  men  should  make  diaries;  but  in  land  travel, 
■wherein  so  much  is  to  be  observed,  for  the  most  part 
they  omit  it;  as  if  chance  were  fitter  to  be  registered 
than  observation:  let  diarie's,  therefore,  be  brought  in 
use.  The  things  to  be  seen  and  observed  are,  the 
courts  of  princes,  especially  when  they  give  audience  to 
ambassadors;  the  courts  of  justice,  while  they  sit  and 
hear  causes;  and  so  of  consistories*  ecclesiastic;  the 
churches  and  monasteries,  with  the  monuments  whicij 
are  therein  extant;  the  walls  and  fortifications  of  cities 
and  towns;  and  so  the  havens  and  harbors,  antiquities 
and  ruins,  libraries,  colleges,  disputatious,  and  lectures, 
where  any  are;  shipping  and  navies;  houses  and  gar- 
dens of  state  and  pleasure,  near  great  cities;  armories, 
arsenals,  magazines,  exchanges,  burses,  warehouses, 
excercises  of  horsemanship,  fencing,  training  of  sol- 
diers, and  the  like:  comedies,  such  whereunto  the  bet- 

*  Synods,  or  councils. 


OF  TRAVEL,  69 

tor  sort  of  persons  do  resort ;  treasuries  of  jewels  and 
robes;  cabinets  and  rarities;  and,  to  conclude,  wliatst)- 
ever  is  memorable  in  the  places  where  they  go;  after 
all  which  the  tutors  or  servants  ought  to  make  diligent 
inquiry.  As  for  triumphs,  masks,  feasts,  weddings, 
funerals,  capital  executions,  and  such  shows,  men  need 
not  be  put  in  mind  of  them:  yet  are  they  uot  to  be  ne- 
glected. If  you  will  have  a  young  man  to  put  his 
travel  into  a  little  room,  and  in  short  time  to  gather 
much,  this  you  must  do:  first,  as  was  said,  he  must  have 
some  entrance  into  the  language  before  he  goeth;  theu 
lie  must  have  such  a  servant,  or  tutor,  as  knoweth  the 
country,  as  was  likewise  said:  let  him  carry  with  him 
also  some  card,  or  book,  describing  the  country  where 
he  traveleth,  which  will  be  a  good  key  to  his  inquiry; 
let  him  keep  also  a  diary;  let  him  not  stay  long  in  one 
city  or  town,  more  or  less  as  the  place  deserveth,  but  not 
long;  nay,  when  he  stnyeth  in  one  city  or  town,  let  him 
change  his  lodging  from  one  end  and  part  of  the  town  to 
another,  which  is  a  groat  adamant  of  acquaintance;  let 
him  sequester  himself  from  the  company  of  his  country- 
men, and  diet  in  such  places  where  there  is  good 
company  of  the  nation  where  he  traveleth:  let  him, 
upon  his  removes  from  one  place  to  another,  procure 
recommendation  to  some  person  of  quality  residing 
in  the  place  whither  he  removeth,  that  he  may  use  his 
favor  in  those  things  he  desireth  to  see  or  know;  thus 
he  may  abridge  his  travel  with  much  profit.  As  for  the 
acquaintance  which  is  to  be  sought  in  travel,  that 
which  is  most  of  all  profitable,  is  acquaintance  with 
the  secretaries  and  employed  men*  of  ambassadors;  for 
so  in  traveling  in  one  country  he  shall  suck  the  expe- 

*  At  tlie  present  day  called  "attaches." 


70  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

rience  of  many:  let  him  also  see  aud  visit  eminent  per- 
sons in  all  kinds,  which  are  of  great  name  abroad,  that 
he  may  be  able  to  tell  how  the  life  agreeth  with  the 
fame;  for  quarrels,  they  are  with  care  and  discretion 
to  be  avoided;  they  are  commonly  for  mistresses, 
healths,*  place,  aud  words;  and  let  a  man  beware  how 
he  keepeth  company  with  choleric  and  quarrelsome 
persons;  for  they  will  engage  him  into  their  own  quar- 
rels. When  a  traveler  returneth  home,  let  him  not 
leave  the  countries  where  he  hath  traveled  altogether 
behind  him,  but  maintain  a  correspondence  by  letters 
with  those  of  his  acquaintance  which  are  of  most 
worth;  aud  let  his  travel  appear  rather  in  his  discourse 
than  in  his  apparel  or  gesture;  and  in  his  discourse  let 
him  be  rather  advised  in  his  answers,  than  forward  to 
tell  stories;  and  let  it  appear  that  he  doth  not  change 
his  country  manners  for  those  of  foreign  parts  ;  but 
only  prick  in  some  flowers  of  that  he  hath  learned 
abroad  into  the  customs  of  his  own  country. 

XIX.— OF  EMPIRE. 

It  is  a  miserable  state  of  mind  to  have  few  things  to 
desire,  and  many  things  to  fear;  and  yet  that  commonly 
in  the  case  of  kings,  who  being  at  the  highest,  want 
matter  of  desire.f  which  makes  their  minds  more  lan- 
guishing; and  have  many  representations  of  perils  and 
shadows,  which  makes  their  minds  the  less  clear;  and 
this  is  one  reason  also  of  that  effect  which  the  Scripture 
speaketh  of,  "That  the  king's  heart  is  inscrutable:" J 

*  He  probably  means  the  refusing  to  join  on  the  occasion  of 
'  drinking  healths  when  taking  wine. 
t  SoraetJiing  to  create  excitement. 
X  "  The  heart  of  kings  is  unsearchable."— Prov.  v.  3. 


OF  EMPIRIC.  71 

for  multitude  of  jealousies,  and  lack  of  some  predomi- 
naut  desire,  tliat  should  marshal  and  put  iu  order  all 
the  rest,  maketh  any  man's  heart  hard  to  find  or  sound. 
Hence  it  comes  likewise,  that  princes  many  times  make 
themselves  desires,  and  set  their  hearts  upon  toj's;  some- 
times upon  a  building;  sometimes  upon  erecting  of  an 
order;  sometimes  upon  the  advancing  of  a  person; 
sometimes  upon  obtaining  excellency  in  some  art,  or 
feat  of  the  hand:  as  Nero  for  playing  on  the  harp;  Do- 
mitian  for  certainty  of  the  hand  with  the  arrow;  Corn- 
modus  for  playing  at  fence;*  Caracalla  for  driving 
chariots,  and  the  like.  This  seemeth  incredible  unto 
those  that  know  not  the  principle,  that  the  mind  of  man 
is  more  cheered  and  refreshed  by  profiting  in  small 
things  than  by  standing  at  a  stayf  in  great.  We  see 
also  that  kings  that  have  been  fortunate  conquerors  ia 
tiieir  first  years,  it  being  not  possible  for  them  to  go 
forward  infinitely,  but  that  they  must  have  some  check 
or  arrest  in  their  fortunes,  turn  in  their  latter  years  to 
be  superstitious  and  melancholy;  as  did  Alexander  the 
Great,  Dioclesian,|  and  in  our  memory,  Charles  the 
Fifth, §  and  others;  for  he  that  is  used  to  go  forward, 
and  findeth  a  stop,  falleth  out  of  his  own  favor,  and  ia 
not  the  thing  he  was. 

To  speak  now  of  the  true  temper  of  empire,  it  is  a 
thing  rare  and  hard  to  keep;  for  both  temper  and  dis- 
temper consist  of  contraries;  but  it  is  one  thing  to  min- 

*  Commodus  fought  naked  in  public  as  a  gladiator,  and  prided 
himself  on  his  skill  as  a  swordsman. 

t  Making  a  stop  at,  or  dwelling  too  long  ui>on. 

t  After  a  prosperous  reign  of  twenty-one  years,  Diocleslan 
abdicated  the  throne,  and  retired  to  a  private  station. 

§  .\fter  having  reigned  thirty-five  years,  he  abdicat«d  the 
thrones  of  Spain  and  Germany,  and  passed  the  two  last  yeai  of 
his  life  in  retiring  at  St.  Just,  a  convent  in  Estremadura. 


78  BACOJ^'S  EtiiiATS. 

gle  contraries,  another  to  interchange  them.  The  an 
swer  of  Apollonius  to  Vespasian  is  full  of  excellent  in- 
struction. Vespasian  asked  him,  "  What  was  Nero's 
overthrow?"  he  answered,  "Nero  could  touch  and  tune 
the  harp  well;  but  in  government  sometimes  he  used  to 
wind  the  pins  too  high,  sometimes  to  let  them  down  too 
low."  And  certain  it  is,  that  nothing  destroyelh  au- 
thority so  much  as  the  unequal  and  untimely  inter- 
change of  power  pressed  too  far,  and  relaxed  too  much. 

This  is  true,  that  the  wisdom  of  all  these  latter  times 
in  princes'  affairs  is  rather  fine  deliveries,  and  shiftings 
of  dangers  and  mischiefs,  when  they  are  near,  than 
solid  and  grounded  courses  to  keep  them  aloof:  but  this 
is  but  to  try  masteries  with  fortune;  and  let  men  be- 
ware how  they  neglect  and  suffer  matter  of  trouble  to 
be  prepared.  For  no  man  can  forbid  the  spark,  nor 
tell  whence  it  may  come.  The  difficulties  in  princes' 
business  are  many  and  great;  but  the  greatest  difficulty 
is  often  in  their  own  mind.  For  it  is  common  with 
princes  (saitli  Tacitus)  to  will  contradictories:  "Sunt 
plerumque  regum  voluntates  vehementes,  et  inter  se 
contrarise;"*  for  it  is  the  solecism  of  power  to  think  to 
command  the  end,  and  yet  not  to  endure  the  mean. 

Kings  have  to  deal  with  their  neighbors,  their  wives, 
their  children,  their  prelates  or  clergy,  their  nobles, 
their  second  nobles  or  gentlemen,  their  merchants,  their 
commons,  and  their  men  of  war;  and  from  all  these 
arise  dangers,  if  care  and  circumspection  be  not  used. 

First,  for  their  neighbors,  there  can  no  general  rule 
be  given  (the  occasions  are  so  variable),  save  one  which 
ever  holdeth;  which  is,  that  princes  do  keep  due  senti- 

*  "  The  desires  of  monarchs  are  generally  impetuou.s  and  cor. 
flicting  among  themselves.'' 


OF  EMPIRE.  78 

nel  that  none  of  their  neighbors  do  overgrow  bo  (by 
increase  of  territory,  by  embracing  of  trade,  by  ap- 
proaches, or  the  like),  as  they  become  more  able  to 
annoy  them  than  they  were;  and  this  is  generally  the 
work  of  standing  counsels  to  foresee  and  to  hinder  it. 
During  that  triumvirate  of  kings.  King  Henry  the 
Eighth  of  England,  Francis  the  First,  King  of  France,* 
and  Charles  the  Fifth,  Emperor,  there  was  such  a 
watch  kept  that  none  of  the  three  could  win  a  palm  of 
ground,  but  the  other  two  would  straightways  balance  it, 
either  by  confederation,  or,  if  need  were,  by  a  war;  and 
would  not  in  anywise  take  up  peace  at  interest;  and 
the  like  was  done  by  that  league  (which  Guicciardinif 
saith  was  the  security  of  Italy),  made  between  Ferdi- 
nando,  King  of  Naples,  Lorenzius  Medicis,  and  Ludo- 
vicus  Sforza,  potentates,  the  one  of  Florence,  the  other 
of  Milan.  Neither  is  the  opinion  of  some  of  the  school- 
men  to  be  received,  that  a  war  cannot  justly  be  made, 
but  upon  a  precedent  injury  or  provocation;  for  there 
is  no  question,  but  a  just  fear  of  an  imminent  danger, 
though  there  be  do  blow  given,  is  a  lawful  cause  of  a 
war. 

For  their  wives,  there  are  cruel  examples  of  them. 
Livia  is  infamed  X  for  the  poisoning  of  her  husband; 


*  He  was  especially  the  rival  of  the  Emperor  Charles  the 
Fifth,  and  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  sovereigns  that 
ever  ruled  over  France. 

+  An  eminent  historian  of  Florence.  His  great  work,  which  !•? 
here  alluded  to,  is  'The  Historj-  of  Italy  during  his  own  Time,' 
Tvliich  is  con.  idered  one  of  the  most  valuable  productions  o£  that 
age. 

t  Spoken  badly  of.  Livia  was  said  to  have  hastened  the  death 
of  Augustus,  to  prepare  the  accession  uf  her  sou  Tiberius  to  the 
throne. 


74  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

Koxolana,  Solyman's  wife*  was  the  destruction  of  that 
renowned  prince,  Snltan  Mnslapha,  and  otherwise 
troubled  his  house  and  succession;  Edward  the  Second 
of  England's  Queen  f  liad  the  principal  hand  in  the 
disposing  and  murder  of  her  husband. 

This  kind  of  danger  is  then  to  be  feared  cliiefly  when 
llie  wives  have  plots  for  the  raising  of  their  own  chil- 
dren, or  else  that  they  be  advoutresses4 

For  their  children,  the  tragedies  likewise  of  dangers 
from  tbem  have  been  many;  and  generally  the  entering 
of  fathers  into  suspicion  of  their  children  hath  been 
ever  unfortunate.  The  destruction  of  Mustapha's  (that 
we  named  before)  was  so  fatal  to  Solyman's  line, 
as  the  succession  of  the  Turks  from  Solyman's  until 
this  day  is  suspected  to  be  untrue,  and  of  strange  blood: 
for  that  Selymus  tlie  Second  was  thouglit  to  be  suppo- 
sitious.g  The  destruction  of  Crispus,  a  young  prince 
of  rare  towardness,  by  Coustantinus  the  Great,  his 
father,  was  in  like  manner  fatal  to  his  house;  for  both 
Coustantinus  and  Constance,  his  sons,  died  violent 
deaths;  and  Coustantinus,  his  other  son,  did  little  bet 
ter,  who  died  indeed  of  sickness,  but  after  that  Julianus 


•  Solyman  the  Masrnificent  was  one  of  the  most  celebrated  of 
the  Ottoman  monarchs.  He  took  the  Isle  of  Rhodes  from  the 
Knights  of  St.  John.  He  also  subdued  Moldavia,  Wallachia,  and 
the  greatest  part  of  Hungary,  and  took  from  the  Persians, 
Greoi^ia  and  Bagdad.  He  died  ad.  1566.  His  wife  Roxolana 
(who  was  originally  a  slave  called  Rosa  or  Hazathya),  with  the 
Paslia  Rustan,  conspired  against  the  life  of  his  son  Mustapha, 
and  by  their  instigation  this  distinguished  prince  was  strangled 
In  his  father's  presence. 

t  The  infamous  Isabella  of  Anjou. 

%  Adultresses. 

§  He.  however,  distinguished  himself  by  taking  Cyprus  from 
Venetians  in  the  year  1571. 


OF  EMPIRE.  75 

had  taken  arms  against  him.  The  destruction  of  De- 
nu:trius,*  sou  to  Philip  the  Second  of  Macedon,  turned 
upon  the  fatlier  who  died  of  repentance,  and  many  like 
examples  there  are;  but  few  or  none  where  the  fathei^s 
had  good  by  such  distrust,  except  it  were  where  tlie 
sons  were  up  in  open  arms  against  them;  as  was  Sely- 
nius  the  First  against  Bajazet,  and  the  three  sons  of 
Henry  tiie  Second,  King  of  England. 

For  their  prelates,  when  they  are  proud  and  great, 
there  is  also  danger  from  them;  as  it  was  in  the 
times  of  Anselmusf  and  Tliomas  Becket,  Archbishops 
of  Canterl)\iry,  wlio  with  their  crosiers  did  almost  try  it 
with  the  King's  sword;  and  yet  they  had  to  doHl  with 
stout  and  haughty  kings:  William  Uufus,  Henry  the 
First,  and  Henry  the  Second.  The  danger  is  not  from 
that  state,  but  where  it  hath  a  dependence  of  foreign 
authority;  or  where  the  churchmen  come  in  and  are 
elected,  not  by  the  collation  of  the  king  or  particular 
patrons,  but  by  the  people. 

For  iheir  nobles,  to  keep  them  at  a  distance  is  not 
amiss;  but  to  depress  them  may  make  a  king  more  al)- 
solute,  but  less  safe,  and  less  able  to  perform  anything 
he  desires.  I  have  noted  it  in  my  History  of  King  Henry 
the  Seventh  of  England,  who  depressed  his  nobility, 
whereupon  it  came  to  ptvss  that  his  times  were  full  of 
difflcultics  and  troubles;  for  the  nobility,  though  they 

*  He  was  falsely  accused  bj'  his  brother  Perseus  of  attempt- 
ing to  dethrone  his  father,  on  wliich  he  was  put  to  death  by  the 
order  of  Pliilip,  B.C.  180. 

t  Anselin  was  archbishop  of  Canterbuiy  in  the  time  of  William 
Rnfus  and  Henry  the  First.  Thongh  his  private  life  was  pious 
and  exemplary,  throiich  his  ripid  assertions  of  the  rights  of  the 
clergy,  he  was  continually  embroiled  with  his  sovereign.  Thomas 
h.  Becket  pursued  a  similar  course,  but  with  still  greater  vio 
lence. 


W  BACON'S  K.SSAYS. 

continued  loyal  unto  bim,  yet  did  they  not  co-operate 
■with  him  in  his  business,  so  that  in  effect  he  was  fain  to 
to  do  all  things  himself. 

For  their  second  nobles,  there  is  not  much  danger 
from  them,  being  a  body  dispersed:  they  may  some- 
times discourse  high,  but  that  doth  little  hurt:  besides, 
they  are  a  counterpoise  to  the  higher  nobility,  that  they 
grow  not  too  potent;  and,  lastly,  being  the  most  imme- 
diate in  authority  with  tlie  common  people,  they  do  best 
temper  popular  commotions. 

For  their  merchants,  they  are  "vena  porta;"*  and  if 
they  flourish  not,  a  kingdom  may  have  good  limbs,  but 
will  have  empty  veins,  and  nourish  little.  Taxes  and 
imposts  upon  them  do  seldom  good  to  the  king's  reve- 
nue, for  that  which  he  wiusf  in  the  hundred, |  he  loseth 
in  the  shire;  the  particular  rates  being  increased,  but 
the  total  bulk  of  trading  rather  decreased. 

For  their  commons,  there  is  little  danger  from  them, 
except  it  be  where  they  have  great  and  potent  heads,  or 
where  j'ou  meddle  with  the  point  of  religion,  or  their 
customs  or  means  of  life. 

For  the  men  of  war,§  it  is  a  dangerous  state  where 
they  live  and  remain  in  a  body,  and  are  used  to  donat- 
ives whereof  we  see  examples  in  the  Janizaries  {  and 

♦  The  great  vessel  that  conveys  the  blood  to  the  liver,  after  it 
has  been  enriched  by  the  absorption  of  nutriment  from  the  in- 
testines. 

t  This  is  an  expression  similar  to  our  proverb,  "  Penny-wise 
and  pound-foolish. 

X  A  subdivision  of  the  shire. 

S  Soldiers. 

J  The  Janizaries  were  the  bodv-ffiistrds  of  the  Turkish  Bultans, 
and  enacted  the  same  disKraceful  part  in  making  and  unmaking 
monarchs  as  the  mercenary  Praetorian  guards  of  the  Roman 
empire. 


OF  COUNSEL.  77 

Praetorian  bands  of  Rome;  but  tmiuing  of  men,  and 
iirmiug  them  in  several  places,  and  under  several  com- 
manders, and  without  donatives,  are  things  of  defense, 
and  no  danger. 

Princes  are  like  to  heavenly  bodies,  which  cause  good 
or  evil  times;  and  which  have  much  veneration,  but  no 
rest.  All  precepts  concerning  kings  are  in  effect  com- 
prehended in  those  two  remembrances,  "Mementoquod 
es  homo;"*  and  "  Memento  quod  es  Deus,"  f  or  "  vice 
Dei;"  J  the  one  bridleth  their  power,  and  the  other 
their  will. 

XX.— OF  COUNSEL. 

The  greatest  trust  between  man  and  man  is  the  trust 
of  giving  counsel ;  for  in  other  confidences  men  commit 
the  parts  of  life,  their  lands,  their  goods,  their  children, 
their  credit,  some  particular  affair;  but  to  such  as  they 
make  their  counsellors  they  commit  the  whole:  by  how 
much  the  more  the}'  arc  obliged  to  all  faith  and  integ- 
rity. The  wisest  princes  need  not  think  it  any  diminu- 
tion to  their  greatness  or  derogation  to  their  sufficiency 
to  rely  upon  counsel.  God  himself  is  not  without,  but 
hath  made  it  one  of  the  great  names  of  his  blessed  Son, 
"The  Counsellor."  §  Solomon  hath  pronounced  that, 
"  In  coimscl  is  stabilitj'."  I  Things  will  have  their  first 
or  second  agitation:  if  they  be  not  tossed  upon  the  ar- 
guments of  counsel,  they  will  be  tossed  upon  waves  of 

♦  "  Remember  that  thou  art  a  man." 

t  "  Remember  that  thou  art  a  God." 

t  "The  representative  of  God." 

S  Isaiah  ix.  G;  "  His  name  shall  be  called  Wonderful,  Counsel- 
lor, The  mighty  God,  The  everlasting  Father,  The  Prince  of 
Peace." 

s  Prov.  XX.  18:  "  Evcrj-  purpose  is  established  by  counsel:  and 
uith  good  advice  make  war." 


78  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

fortune;  and  be  full  of  inconstancy,  doing  and  undoing; 
like  the  reeling  of  a  drunken  man.  Solomon's  sou* 
found  the  force  of  counsel,  as  his  father  saw  the  neces- 
sity of  it:  for  the  beloved  kingdom  of  God  was  first 
rent  and  broken  by  ill  counsel;  upon  which  counsel 
there  are  set  for  our  instruction  the  two  marks  whereby 
bad  counsel  is  forever  best  discerned,  that  it  was  young 
counsel  for  the  persons,  and  violent  counsel  for  the 
matter. 

The  ancient  times  do  set  forth  in  figure  both  the  in- 
corporation and  inseparable  conjunction  of  counsel  with 
kings,  and  the  wise  and  politic  use  of  counsel  by  kings: 
the  one  in  that  they  say  Jupiter  did  marry  Metis,  which 
signifieth  counsel;  whereby  they  intend  that  sovereignty 
is  married  to  counsel;  the  other,  in  that  which  follow- 
eth,  which  was  thus:  they  say,  after  Jupiter  was  mar- 
ried to  Metis,  she  conceived  by  him  and  was  with  child; 
but  Jupiter  suffered  her  not  to  stay  till  she  brought 
forth,  but  eat  her  up:  whereby  he  became  himself,  with 
child;  and  was  delivered  of  Pallas  armed,  out  of  his 
head.  Which  monstrous  fable  containeth  a  secret  of 
empire,  how  kings  are  to  make  use  of  their  counsel  of 
state :  that  first  they  ought  to  refer  matters  unto  them, 
which  is  the  first  begetting  or  impregnation;  but  whea 
they  are  elaborate,  molded  and  shaped  in  the  womb  of 
their  council,  and  grow  ripe  and  ready  to  be  brought 
forth,  that  then  they  suffer  not  their  council  to  go 
through  with  the  resolution  and  direction,  as  if  it  de- 
pended on  them;  but  take  the  matter  back  into  their 
own  hands,  and  make  it  appear  to  the  world  that  the 
decrees  and  final  directions  (which,  because  they  come 
forth  with  prudence  and  power,  are  resembled  to  Pallas 

*  The  wicked  Rohoboam,  from  whom  the  ten  tribes  of  Israel 
revolted  and  elected  Jeroboam  their  king.    See  I.    Kings  xii. 


OF  COUNSEL.  79 

armed),  proceeded  from  themselves;  and  not  only  from 
their  authority,  but  (the  more  to  add  repututiou  to 
themselves)  from  their  head  and  device. 

Let  us  now  speak  of  the  inconveniences  of  counsel, 
and  of  the  remedies.  The  inconveniences  that  have 
been  noted  in  culling  and  using  counsel,  are  three:  first, 
the  revealing  of  affairs,  whereby  tliey  become  less  se- 
cret; secondly,  the  weakening  of  the  authority  of 
princes,  as  if  they  were  less  of  themselves;  thirdly,  the 
danger  of  being  unfaithfully  counselled,  and  more  for 
the  good  of  them  that  counsel  than  of  him  that  is  coun- 
selled; for  which  inconveniences,  the  doctrine  of  Italy, 
and  practice  of  France,  in  some  kings'  times,  hath  intro- 
duced cabinet  councils;  a  remedy  worse  than  the  dis- 
ease.* 

As  to  secrecy,  princes  are  not  bound  to  communicate 
all  matters  with  all  counsellors,  but  may  extract  and  se- 
lect; neither  is  it  necessarj',  that  he  that  consulteth  what 
he  should  do,  should  declare  what  he  will  do;  but  let 
princes  beware  that  the  unsecreting  of  their  affairs 
comes  not  from  themselves:  and,  as  for  cabinet  coun- 
cils, it  may  be  their  motto,  "  Plcnus  rimarum  sum:"f 
one  futile  person,  that  maketh  it  his  glory  to  tell,  will 
do  more  hurt  than  many,  that  know  it  their  duly  to 
conceal.  It  is  true  there  be  some  affairs  which  require 
extreme  secrecy,  which  will  hardly  go  beyond  one  or 
two  persons  besides  the  king:  neither  are  those  coun- 
sels unprosperous;  for,  besides  the  secrecy,  they  com- 
monly go  on  constantly  in  one  spirit  of  direction  with- 
out distraction:  but  then  it  must  be  a  prudent  king, 

*  The  political  world  lias  not  been  convinced  of  the  truth  ot 
this  doctrine  of  Lord  Bacon,  as  cabinet  councils  are  now  held 
probably  by  every  sovereign  in  Europe. 

t  "  I  am  full  of  outlets." 


80  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

such  as  is  able  to  grind  willi  a  hand-mill;*  and  those 
inward  counsellors  had  need  also  be  wise  men,  and  es- 
pecially true  and  trusty  to  the  king's  ends,  as  it  was 
with  King  Henry  the  Seventh  of  England,  who,  in  his 
greatest  business  imparted  himself  to  none,  except  it 
were  to  Mortonf  and  Fox.  X 

For  weakening  of  authority,  the  fableg  showeth  the 
remedy:  nay,  the  majesty  of  kings  is  rather  exalted 
than  diminished  when  they  are  in  the  chair  of  coun- 
cil; neither  was  there  ever  prince  bereaved  of  his 
dependencies  by  his  council,  except  where  there  hath 
been  either  an  over-greatness  in  one  counsellor,  or  an 
over  strict  combination  in  divers,  which  are  things  soon 
found  and  holpeu.| 

For  the  last  inconvenience,  that  men  will  counsel  with 
an  ej'e  to  themselves;  certainly,  "  nou  inveuiet  fidem 
super  terram,"  *j[  is  meant  of  the  nature  of  times,**  and 

♦  That  is,  without  a  complicated  machinery  of  government. 

t  Master  of  the  Rolls  and  Privy  Councillor  under  Henry  VI.,  to 
whose  cause  he  faithfully  adhered.  Edward  IV.  promoted  him 
to  the  see  of  Ely.  and  made  him  Lord  Chancellor.  He  was  ele- 
vated to  the  see  of  Canterbui-y  by  Henry  VII.,  and  in  1493  received 
the  Cardinal's  hat. 

t  Privy  Councillor  and  Keeper  of  the  P*rivy  Seal  to  Henry  VII. ; 
and  after  enjoying  several  bishoprics  in  succession,  translated  to 
the  see  of  Winchester.  He  was  an  able  statesman,  and  highly 
valued  by  Henry  VII.  On  the  accession  of  Henry  VIII..  his 
political  influence  was  counteracted  by  Wolsey;  on  which  he 
retired  to  his  diocese,  and  devoted  the  rest  of  his  life  to  acts  of 
piety  and  munificence. 

§  Before  mentioned,  relative  to  Jupiter  and  Metis. 

ii  Remedied. 

T'He  shall  not  find  faith  upon  the  earth."  Lord  Bacon 
probably  alludes  to  the  words  of  our  Saviour,  St.  Luke  xviii.  8: 
"When  the  Son  of  man  cometh,  shall  he  find  faith  upon  the 
earth?" 

**  He  means  to  say  that  this  remark  was  only  applicable  to  a 


OF  COUNSEL.  81 

not  of  all  paiticuliir  peisous.  Tliere  be  that  are  iu 
nature  faithful  and  siucere,  ami  pltiiu  and  direct,  not 
crafty  and  involved:  let  princes,  above  all,  draw  to 
themselves  such  natures.  Besides,  counsellors  are  not 
commonly  so  united,  but  that  one  counsellor  keepeth 
sentinel  over  another;  so  that  if  any  do  counsel  out  of 
faction  or  private  ends,  it  commonly  comes  to  the  King's 
ear:  but  the  best  lemedy  is,  if  princes  know  their  coun- 
sellors, as  well  as  their  counsellors  know  them: 

"  Principls  est  virtus  maxima  nosse  suos."* 

And  on  the  other  side,  counsellors  should  not  be  too 
speculative  into  their  sovereign's  person.  The  true 
composition  of  a  counsellor  is,  rather  to  be  skillful  iu 
their  master's  business  than  in  his  nature;!  for  then  he 
is  like  to  advise  him,  and  not  to  feed  his  humor.  It  is 
of  singular  use  to  princes  if  they  take  the  opinions  of 
their  council  both  separately  and  together;  for  private 
opinion  is  more  free,  but  opinion  before  others  is  more 
reserved.  In  private,  men  are  more  bold  in  their  own 
humors;  and  in  consort,  men  are  more  obnoxious^  to 
others'  humors;  therefore  it  is  good  to  take  both;  and 
of  the  inferior  sort  rather  in  private,  to  preserve  free- 
dom :  of  tlic  greater,  rather  iu  consort,  to  preserve  re- 
spect. It  is  in  vain  for  princes  to  take  counsel  concern- 
ing matters  if  they  take  no  counsel  likewise  concern- 
ing persons;  for  all  mattei-s  arc  as  dead  images:  and  the 
life  of  the  execution  of  aCfairs  resteth  in  the  good  choice 
of  persons:   neither  is  it  enough  to  consult  concerning 

particular  time,  namely,  the  comin;?  of  Chri.st.  The  period  of  the 
destniclion  of  Jenisalem  was  probably  referred  to. 

•  "'Tis  theesi)foial  virtue  of  a  prince  to  know  hlRown  men." 

t  In  his  disposition,  or  inclinatiou. 

%  Liable  to  opposition  from. 


82  BACON'S  ESSAFS. 

persons,  "  secundum  genera,"*  as  in  an  idea  or  mathe- 
matical description,  what  tlie  kind  and  character  of  the 
person  should  be;  for  the  greatest  errors  are  committed. 
and  the  most  judgment  is  shown,  in  tlie  choice  of  indi- 
viduals. It  was  truly  said,  "  Optimi  consiliarii  mortui :"  f 
"books  will  speak  plain  when  counsellors  blanch;"^ 
therefore  it  is  good  to  be  conversant  in  them,  specially 
the  books  of  such  as  themselves  have  been  actors  upon 
the  stage. 

The  councils  at  this  day  in  most  places  are  but  familiar 
meetings,  where  matters  are  rather  talked  on  than 
debated;  and  they  run  too  swift  to  the  order  or  act  of 
council.  It  were  better  that  in  causes  of  weight  the 
matter  were  propounded  one  day  and  not  spoken  to  till 
the  next  day;  "In  nocie  consilium:"  §  so  was  it  done  in 
tlie  commission  of  union  |  between  England  and  Scot- 
land, which  was  a  grave  and  orderly  assembly.  I  com- 
mend set  days  for  petitions;  for  both  it  gives  the  suitors 
more  certainty  fbr  their  attendance,  and  it  frees  the 
meetings  for  matters  of  estate,  that  they  may  "hoc 
agere."  T[  In  choice  of  committees  for  ripening  business 
for  the  council,  it  is  better  to  choose  indifferent  persons, 


*  "  According  to  classes,"  or,  as  we  vulgarly  say, "  in  the  lump." 
Lord  Bacon  means  that  priiiof  s  are  not,  as  a  matter  of  course,  to 
take  counsellors  merely  on  the  presumption  of  talent,  from  their 
rank  and  station:  but  that,  on  the  contrary,  they  are  to  select 
such  as  are  tried  men,  and  with  regard  to  whom  there  can  be  no 
mistake. 

+  "  The  best  counsellors  are  the  dead." 

t "  Are  afraid  to  open  their  mouths." 

§  "  Night-time  for  counsel." 

I  On  the  accession  of  James  the  Sixth  of  Scotland  to  the  throne 
of  England  in  1603. 

5 A  phrase  much  in  use  with  the  Romans,  signifying,  "to 
attend  to  the  business  in  band." 


OF  DEL  A  TS.  83 

than  to  make  an  indiflferency  by  puttiug  in  those  th;it 
are  strong  on  both  sides.  I  commend,  also,  standing 
commissions;  as  for  trade,  for  treasure,  for  war,  for 
suits,  for  some  provinces;  for  wliere  there  be  diverd 
particular  councils,  and  but  one  council  of  estate  (as  i*; 
is  in  Spain),  they  are,  in  effect,  no  more  than  standiug 
commissions,  save  that  they  have  greater  authority. 
Lot  such  as  are  to  inform  councils  out  of  their  particular 
professions  (as  lawyers,  seamen,  miutinen,  and  the  like), 
be  first  heard  before  committees;  and  then,  as  occasion 
serves,  before  the  council;  and  let  them  not  come  in 
multitudes,  or  in  a  tribunitious*  manner;  for  that  is  to 
clamor  councils,  not  to  inform  them.  A  long  table  and 
a  square  table,  or  seats  about  the  walls,  seem  things  of 
form,  but  are  things  of  substance;  for  at  a  long  table  :i 
few  at  the  upper  end,,  in  effect,  sway  all  the  business; 
but  in  the  other  form  there  is  more  use  of  the  counsellors' 
opinions  that  sit  lower.  A  king,  when  he  presides  in 
council,  let  him  beware  how  he  opens  his  own  inclina- 
tion too  much  in  that  which  he  propoundeth;  for  else 
counsellors  will  but  take  the  wind  of  him,  and  instead 
of  giving  free  counsel,  will  sing  him  a  song  of 
"  placebo,  "f 

XXI.— OF  DELAYS. 

Fortune  is  like  the  market,  where  many  times,  if 
you  can  stay  a  little,  the  price  will  fall;  and  again,  it  is 
sometimes  like  Sibylla's  offer,f  which  at  first  offereth 
the  commodity  at  full,  then  consumeth  part  and  part, 

♦  A  tribunitial  or  declamatory  manner, 
t "  I'll  follow  the  bent  of  your  humor." 

J8«e  the  history  of  Rome  under  the  reign  of  Tarquinius 
SuperbuE. 


84  BACON'S  ESS  A  }'•'<. 

and  still  holdetli  up  tb.e  price;  for  occasion  (as  it  is  in 
the  common  verse)  "turueth  a  balil  noddle*  after  she 
hath  presented  her  locks  in  front,  and  no  hold  taken ;" 
or,  at  least,  tiiiueth  the  handle  of  the  bottle  lirst  to  be 
received,  and  after  the  belly,  which  is  hard  to  clasp. 
There  is  surely  no  greater  wisdom  tlian  well  to  time  the 
beginnings  and  onsets  of  things.  Dangers  are  no  more 
light,  if  llu'V  once  seem  liglii;  and  more  dangers  have 
deceived  men  than  forced  them;  nay,  it  is  better  to 
meet  some  dangers  half-waj',  though  Ihey  come  nothing 
near,  than  to  keep  too  long  a  watch  upon  approaches; 
for  if  a  man  watch  too  long,  it  is  odds  that  he  will  fall 
asleep.  On  the  other  side,  to  be  deceived  with  too  long 
shadows  (as  some  have  been  when  the  moon  was  low, 
and  shone  on  their  enemies'  back),  and  so  to  shoot  off 
before  the  time;  or  to  teach  dangers  to  come  on  by 
over  earl}'  buckling  towards  them,  is  another  extreme. 
The  ripeness  or  unripeness  of  the  occasion  (as  we  said) 
must  be  very  well  weighed;  and  generally  it  is  good  to 
commit  the  beginnings  of  all  great  actions  to  Argus  with 
his  hundred  eyes,  and  the  ends  to  Briareus  with  his 
hundred  hands;  first  to  watch  and  then  to  speed;  for 
the  helmet  of  Pluto,  which  raaketh  the  politic  man  go 
invisible,  is  secrecy  in  the  council,  and  celerity  in  the 
execution;  for  when  things  are  once  come  to  the  execu- 
tion, there  is  no  secrecj'  comparable  to  celerit}';  like  the 
motion  of  a  bullet  in  the  air,  which  flicth  so  swift  as  it 
outruns  the  eye. 


*  Bald  head.    He  alludes  to  the  common  saying  "take  time  by 
the  forelock." 


OF  CUNNING.  85 


XXII.-OF  CUNNING. 

We  take  cunning  for  a  sinister,  or  crooked  wisdom-, 
and  certainly  there  is  great  difference  between  a  cunning 
man  and  a  wise  men,  not  only  in  point  of  honesty,  but 
in  point  of  ability.  There  be  that  can  pack  the  cards,* 
and  yet  cannot  play  well;  so  there  are  some  that  are 
good  in  canvasses  and  factions,  that  are  otherwise  weak 
men.  Again,  it  is  one  thing  to  understand  persons,  and 
another  thing  to  understand  matters;  for  many  are  per- 
fect in  men's  humors  that  are  not  capable  of  the  real 
part  of  business,  which  is  the  constitution  of  one  that 
liath  studied  men  more  than  btx)ks.  Such  men  are 
titter  for  practice  than  for  counsel,  and  they  are  good 
but  in  their  own  alley:  turn  them  to  new  men,  and  they 
have  lost  their  aim ;  so  as  the  old  rule,  to  know  a  fool 
from  a  wise  man  "  Mitte  ambos  nudos  ad  ignotos,  et 
videbis,"f  doth  scarce  hold  for  them;  and,  because 
these  cunning  men  are  like  haberdashers^  of  small 
■wares,  it  is  not  amiss  to  set  forth  their  .shop. 

It  is  a  point  of  cunning  to  wail  upon  §  him  with 
■whom  you  speak  with  your  eye,  as  the  Jesuits  gave  it 

•  Packing  the  cards  is  an  admirable  illustration  of  the  authoi's 
meaning.  It  is  a  cheating  exploit,  by  which  knaves,  who  pep- 
haps  are  inferior  players,  insure  to  themselves  the  certainty  of 
good  hands. 

+  '•  Send  them  both  naked  among  strangers,  and  then  you  will 
see." 

tThis  word  is  used  here  in  its  primitive  sense  of  "retail 
dealers."  It  is  said  to  have  been  derived  from  a  custom  of  the 
Flemings,  who  fii-st  settled  in  this  countrj-  in  the  fourteenth 
century,  stopping  the  passengers  as  they  pas.sed  their  shops,  and 
sayingto  tliem,  "  Haber  da,  herr*"  "Will  you  take  this,  sir."  The 
word  is  now  generally  used  as  synonymous  with  linen-draper. 

5  To  watch. 


86  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

in  precept;  for  there  be  many  wise  men  that  have 
secret  hearts  and  transparent  countenances:  yet  this 
would  be  done  with  a  dernure  debasing  of  your  eye 
sometimes,  as  llie  Jesuits  also  do  use. 

Another  is,  wlien  you  have  anything  to  obtain  ot 
present  dispatch,  you  entertain  and  amuse  the  party 
with  wliom  you  deal  witli  some  other  discourse,  that 
he  l>e  not  too  much  awalie  to  make  objections.  I 
knew  a  counsellor  and  secretary  that  never  came  to 
Queen  Elizabeth  of  England  with  bills  to  sign,  but 
would  always  first  put  her  into  some  discourse  of  es- 
tate* that  she  might  the  less  mind  the  bills. 

The  like  surprise  may  be  made  by  moving  things  f 
when  the  party  is  in  haste,  and  cannot  stay  to  consider 
advisedly  of  that  is  moved. 

If  a  man  would  cross  a  business  that  he  doubts  some 
other  would  handsomely  and  effectually  move,  let  him 
pretend  to  wish  it  well,  and  move  it  himself,  in  such 
soit  as  may  foil  it. 

The  breaking  off  in  the  midst  of  that  one  was  about 
to  say,  as  if  he  took  himself  np,  breeds  a  greater  appe- 
tite in  him  witli  whom  you  confer  to  know  more. 

And  because  it  works  better  when  anything  seemeth 
to  be  gotten  from  you  by  question  than  if  you  offer  it 
of  yourself,  you  may  lay  a  bait  for  a  question,  by  allow- 
ing another  visage  and  countenance  than  you  are  wont; 
to  the  end,  to  give  occasion  for  the  party  to  ask  what 
the  matter  is  of  the  change,  as  Nehemiali|  did,  "And  I 
had  not  before  that  time  been  sad  before  the  king." 

•  State.  +  Discussing'  matters. 

t  Ho  refers  to  the  occasion  when  Neherniali,  on  presenting  the  ■ 
wine,  as  cupbearer  to  King  Artaxerxes,  appeared  sorrowful,  and 
on  being  asked  the  rea.son  of  it,  entreated  the  Idngto  allow  Jeru- 
salem to  be  rebuilt.    Nehemiah  ii.  1. 


OF  CUNNING.  87 

In  tilings  that  are  tender  and  unpleasing,  it  is  good  to 
break  the  ice  by  some  whose  woids  are  of  less  weight, 
mid  to  reserve  the  more  weighty  voice  to  come  in  as  by 
chance,  so  that  he  maj'  be  asked  the  question  upon  the 
other's  speech;  as  Narcissus  did,  in  relating  to  Claudius 
the  marriage*  of  Messalina  and  Siiius. 

In  things  that  a  man  would  not  be  seeu  in  himself,  it 
is  a  point  of  cunning  to  borrow  the  name  of  the  world ; 
as  to  say,  "The  world  saj-s,"  or  "There  is  a  speech 
abroad." 

I  knew  one,  tliat  when  he  wrote  a  letter,  he  would 
put  that  which  wtis  most  material  in  tlie  postscript,  as 
if  it  had  been  a  by-matter. 

I  knew  another,  that  when  he  came  to  have  speech, f 
ho  would  pass  over  that  that  he  intended  most:  and  go 
forth  and  come  back  again,  and  speak  of  it  as  of  a  thing 
that  he  had  almost  forgot. 

Some  procure  themselves  to  be  surprised  ai  such  times 
as  it  is  like  the  party  that  they  work  upon  will  suddenly 
come  upon  them,  and  to  be  found  with  a  letter  in  their 
hand,  or  doing  somewhat  which  they  are  not  accus- 
tomed, to  the  end  they  may  be  opposed  of  ^  those  things 
which  of  themselves  they  are  desirous  to  utter. 

It  is  a  point  of  cunning  to  let  fall  those  words  in  a 
man's  own  name,  which  he  would  have  another  man 
learn  and  u.se,  and  thereupon  take  atlvantage.  I  knew 
two  that  were  competitors  for  the  secretary's  place,  in 

*  This  can  hardly  be  called  a  marriage,  as  at  the  time  of  the 
Intrigue  Messalina  was  the  wife  of  Claudius:  but  she  forced 
Caius  Siiius,  of  whom  she  was  deeply  enamored,  to  divorce  his 
own  wife,  that  she  herself  might  enjoy  his  society.  The  intrigue 
was  disclosed  to  Claudius  by  Narcissus,  who  was  his  freedmau. 
and  the  pander  to  his  infamous  vices,  on  which  Siiius  was  put  to 
death. 

t  To  speak  in  his  turn.  X  Be  questioned  upon. 


88  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

Queen  Elizabeth's  time,  aud  yet  liept  good  quarter*  be- 
tween themselves,  and  would  confer  one  with  auolher 
ujwn  the  business;  and  the  one  of  them  said,  that  to  be 
a  secretary  in  tlie  declination  of  a  monarchy  was  a  tick- 
lish thing,  and  that  he  did  not  affect  it:f  the  other 
straight  caught  up  those  words,  and  discoursed  with 
divers  of  his  friends,  that  he  had  no  reason  to  desire  to 
be  secretary  in  the  declination  of  a  monarchy.  The 
first  man  took  hold  of  it,  and  found  means  it  was  told 
the  queen;  who,  hearing  of  a  declination  of  a  monarchy, 
took  it  so  ill,  as  she  would  never  after  hear  of  the 
other's  suit. 

There  is  a  cunning,  which  we  in  Eugland  call," the 
turning  of  the  eat  iu  the  pan;"  which  is,  when  that 
■which  a  man  says  to  another,  he  lays  it  as  if  another 
had  said  it  to  him;  and,  to  say  truth,  it  is  not  easy, 
when  such  a  matter  passed  between  two,  to  make  it  ap- 
pear from  \thich  of  them  it  first  moved  and  began. 

It  is  a  way  that  some  men  have,  to  glance  and  dart 
at  others  by  justif3'ing  themselves  by  negatives;  as  to 
say,  "This  I  do  not;" as Tigellinus  did  towards Burrhus, 
*'■  Se  non  diversas  spes  sed  incolumitatem  imperatoris 
simpliciter  spectare."^: 

Some  have  in  readiness  so  many  tales  and  stories,  aa 
there  is  nothing  they  would  insinuate,  but  they  can 
wrap  it  into  a  tale;§  which  serveth  both  to  keep  them- 


*  Kept  on  good  terms. 

t  Desire  it. 

t  "  That  he  did  not  have  various  hopes  in  view,  but  solely  the 
safety  of  the  emperor."  TiRellinus  was  the  profligate  minister 
of  Nero,  and  Africanus  Burrhus  was  the  chief  of  the  Praetorian 
guards. 

§  .A.S  Nathan  did  when  he  reproved  David  for  his  criminality 
with  Bathsheba.    II.  Samuel  xii. 


OK  VUNNING.  89 

selves  more  in  guard,  and  to  make  others  carry  it  with 
more  pleasure. 

It  is  a  good  point  of  cunning  for  a  man  to  shape  the 
answer  ho  would  liiive  in  his  own  words  and  proposi- 
tions; for  it  makes  the  otlier  party  stick  the  less. 

It  is  stranijo  how  long  some  men  will  lie  in  wait  to 
speak  somewliat  they  desire  to  saj';  and  how  far  about 
tl'ey  will  fetch,*  and  how  many  otljcr  matters  they  will 
beat  over  to  come  near  it:  it  is  a  thing  of  great  patience, 
but  yet  of  much  use. 

A  sudden,  bold,  and  unexpected  question  doth  many 
times  surprise  a  man,  and  lay  him  open.  Like  to  him, 
that,  having  changed  his  name,  and  walking  in  Paul's,! 
another  suddenly  came  behind  him  and  called  him  by 
his  true  name,  whereat  straightwaj'S  he  looked  back. 

But  these  small  wares  and  petty  points  of  cunning 
are  infinite,  and  it  were  a  good  deed  to  make  a  list  of 
them;  for  that  nothing  doth  more  hurt  in  a  state  than 
that  cunning  men  pass  for  wise. 

But  certainly  some  there  are  that  know  the  resorts  % 
and  falls§  of  business  that  cannot  sink  into  the  main  of 
it;  J  like  a  house  that  hath  convenient  stall's  and  entries, 
but  never  a  fair  room;  therefore  you  shall  see  them  find 
out  pretty  losses  ^  in  the  conclusion,  but  are  noways 
able  to  examine  or  debate  matters;  and  yet  commonly 
they  take  advantage  of  their  inability,  and  would  be 
thought  wits  of  direction.  Some  build  rather  upon  the 
abusing  of  others,  and  (as  we  now  say)  putting  tricks 


♦  Use  indirect  stratagems. 

y  He  alludes  to  the  old  Cathedral  of  St.  Paul  in  London,  which, 
in  the  sixteenth  century,  was  a  common  lounge  for  idlers. 
X  Movements,  or  springs.  §  Chances,  or  vicissitudes. 

I  Enter  deeply  into. 
T  Faults,  or  weak  points. 


90  JJACON'JS  JLi^iSAT::). 

upon  them,  than  upon  soundness  of  their  own  proceed- 
ings: but  Solomon  sailh,  "  Prudens  adverlit  ad  gros- 
sus  suos:  stultus  divertit  ad  dolos."  * 

XXIII.— OF  WISDOM  FOR  A  MAN'S  SELF. 

An  ant  is  a  wise  creature  for  itself,  but  it  is  a  shrewd  f 
thing  in  an  orchard  or  garden:  and  certainly  men  that 
are  great  lovers  of  themselves  waste  the  public.  Divide 
with  reason  between  self-love  and  society;  and  be  so 
true  to  thyself  as  thou  be  not  false  to  others,  especially 
to  thy  king  and  country.  It  is  a  poor  centre  of  a  man's 
actions,  himself.  It  is  right  earth;  for  that  only  stands 
fast  upon  his  cnvn  center;  |  whereas  all  things  that  have 
affinity  with  the  heavens,  move  upon  the  centre  of  an- 
other, which  they  benefit.  The  referring  of  all  to  a 
man's  self,  is  more  tolerable  in  a  sovereign  prince,  be- 
cause themselves  are  not  only  themselves,  but  their 
good  and  evil  is  at  the  peril  of  the  public  fortune;  but  it 
is  a  desperate  evil  in  a  servant  to  a  prince,  or  a  citizen 
in  a  republic;  for  whatsoever  affairs  pass  such  a  man's 
hands,  lie  crooketh  them  to  his  own  ends,  which  must 
needs  be  often  eccentric  to  the  ends  of  his  master  or 
state;  therefore  let  princes  or  states  choose  such  servants 
as  have  not  this  mark;  except  they  mean  their  service 
should  be  made  the  accessory.  That  which  maketh  the 
effect  more  pernicious  is,  that  all  proportion  is  lost;  it 


*  "The  wise  man  gives  heed  to  his  own  footsteps;  the  fool 
tumeth  aside  to  the  snare."  No  doubt  he  here  alhides  to  Eccle- 
siastes  xiv.  2.  which  passage  is  thus  rendered  in  our  version: 
"  The  wise  man's  eyes  are  in  his  head ;  but  the  fool  wallvcth  ki 
darkness." 

+  Miscliievous. 

t  It  must  be  remembered  that  Bacon  was  not  a  favorer  of  th« 
Copernican  system.     / 


OF  WISDOM  FOR  A  MAN'S  SELF.  .     91 

were  disproporlionnle  enough  for  the  servant's  good  to 
be  preferred  before  the  master's;  but  yet  it  is  a  greater 
extreme,  when  a  little  good  of  the  servant  shall  carry 
things  against  a  great  good  of  the  master's:  and  yet 
that  is  the  case  of  bad  officers,  treasurers,  ambassadors, 
generals,  and  other  false  and  corrupt  servants;  which 
set  a  bias  upon  their  bowl,  of  their  own  petty  ends  and 
envies,  to  the  overthrow  of  their  master's  great  and  im- 
portant affairs,  and,  for  the  most  part,  the  good  such 
servants  receive  is  after  the  model  of  their  own  fortune; 
but  the  hurt  they  sell  for  that  good  is  after  the  model  of 
their  master's  fortune;  and  certainly  it  is  the  nature  of 
extreme  self-lovers,  as  they  will  set  a  house  on  fire,  an 
it  were  but  to  roast  their  eggs;  and  yet  tliese  men  many 
times  hold  credit  with  their  masters  because  their  study 
is  but  to  please  them,  and  profit  themselves;  and  for 
either  respect  they  will  abondon  the  good  of  their 
affairs. 

Wisdom  for  a  man's  self  is,  in  many  branches 
thereof,  a  depraved  thing:  it  is  the  wisdom  of  rats, 
that  will  be  sure  to  leave  a  house  somewhat  before  it 
fall:  it  is  the  wisdom  of  the  fox,  that  thrusts  out  the 
badger  who  digged  and  made  room  for  him:  it  is  the 
wisdom  of  crocodiles,  that  shed  tears  when  they  would 
devour.  But  that  which  is  specially  to  be  noted,  is, 
that  those  which  (jis  Cicero  says  of  Pom pey)  are,  "sui 
amantes,  sine  rivali,"*  are  many  times  unfortunate;  and 
whereas  they  have  all  their  times  sacrificed  to  them- 
pelves,  they  become  in  the  end  themselves  sacrifices  to 
the  inconstancy  of  fortune,  whose  wings  they  thought 
by  their  self- wisdom  to  have  pinioned. 

*  "Lovers  of  themselves  without  a  rival." 


92  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 


XXIV.— OF  INNOVATIONS. 

As  the  births  of  living  creatures  at  first  are  ill-shapeu, 
so  are  all  innovations,  which  are  the  births  of  time;  yet 
notwithstanding,  as  those  that  first  bring  honor  into 
their  family  are  commonly  more  worthy  than  most  that 
Bucceed,  so  the  first  precedent  (if  it  be  good)  is  seldom 
attained  by  imitation;  for  ill  to  man's  nature  as  it  stands 
perverted,  hath  a  natural  motion  strongest  in  continu- 
ance; but  good,  as  a  forced  motion,  strongest  at  first. 
Surely  every  medicine  *  is  an  innovation,  and  he  that 
will  not  apply  new  remedies  must  expect  new  evils;  for 
time  is  the  greatest  innovator;  and  if  time  of  course 
alter  things  to  the  worse,  and  wisdom  and  counsel  shall 
not  alter  them  to  the  better,  what  shall  be  the  end?  It 
is  true,  that  what  is  settled  by  custom,  though  it  be  not 
good,  yet  at  least  it  is  fit;  and  those  things  which  have 
long  gone  together,  are,  as  it  were,  confederate  within 
themselves ;t  whereas  new  things  piece  not  so  well;  but, 
though  they  help  by  their  utility,  yet  they  trouble  by 
their  inconformity:  besides,  they  are  like  strangers, 
more  admired  and  less  favored.  All  this  is  true,  if  time 
stood  still :  which,  contrariwise,  raoveth  so  round,  that 
a  froward  retention  of  custom  is  as  turbulent  a  thing  as 
an  innovation;  and  they  that  reverence  too  much  old 
times  are  but  a  scorn  to  the  new.  It  were  good,  there- 
fore, that  men  in  their  innovations  would  follow  the 
example  of  time  itself,  which  indeed  innovateth  greatly, 
but  quietly,  and  b\'  degrees  scarce  to  be  perceived;  for 
otherwise,  whatsoever  is  new  is  unlooked  for;  and  ever 
it  mends  some  and  pairs  ^  other;  and  he  that  is  holpen, 

♦Remedy.  +  Adapted  to  each  other, 

t  Injures,  or  impairs. 


OF  DISPATCH.  9:5 

takes  it  for  a  furtiiue,  nn(i  thanks  the  time;  and  lie  that 
is  hurt,  for  a  wrong,  and  inipiileth  it  to  the  autlior.  It 
is  good  also  not  to  try  experiments  in  stales,  except  iho 
necessity  be  urgent,  or  the  utility  evident;  and  well  to 
beware  tliat  it  be  the  reformation  that  draweth  on  the 
change,  and  not  the  desire  of  change  that  pretendeth 
the  reformation;  and  lastly,  that  the  novelty,  though  it 
be  not  rejected,  yet  be  held  for  a  suspect,*  and,  as  the 
Scripture  saith,  "That  we  make  a  stand  upon  the  an- 
cient wa}',  and  then  look  about  us,  and  discover  what  is 
the  straight  and  right  way,  and  so  to  walk  in  it."f 

XXV.— OF  DISPATCH. 

Affected  dispatch  is  one  of  the  most  dangerous 
things  to  business  that  can  be:  it  is  like  that  which  the 
physicians  call  predigestion,  or  hasty  digestion,  wliich 
is  sure  to  fill  the  body  full  of  crudities,  and  secret  seeds 
of  diseases:  therefore  measure  not  dispatch  by  the  times 
of  sitting,  but  by  the  advancement  of  the  business:  and, 
as  in  races,  it  is  not  the  large  stride,  or  high  lift,  that 
makes  the  speed;  so  in  business,  the  keeping  close  to 
the  matter,  and  not  taking  of  it  too  much  at  once,  pro- 
cureth  dispatch.  It  is  the  care  of  some,  only  to  come 
off  speedily  for  the  time,  or  to  contrive  some  false  peri- 
ods of  business,  l)ecause  they  may  seem  men  of  dis- 
pmtch :  but  it  is  one  thing  to  abbreviate  by  contracting,  J 
another  by  cutting  off;  and  business  so  handled  at  sev- 

*  A  thing  suspected. 

t  He  probably  alludes  to  Jeremiah,  vi.  16:  "Thus  saith  the 
Lord,  Stand  ye  in  the  ways,  and  see,  and  ask  for  the  old  paths, 
where  is  the  frood  way,  and  walk  therein,  and  ye  shall  find  ivst 
for  your  souls."' 

X  That  is,  by  means  of  good  management. 


94  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

oral  sittings,  or  meetings,  goetli  commonly  backward 
and  forward  in  an  unsteady  manner.  I  knew  a  wise 
man  *  tliat  had  it  for  a  by-word,  when  l>e  saw  men  has- 
ten to  a  conclusion,  "  Stay  a  little,  that  we  may  make 
an  end  the  sooner." 

On  the  other  side,  true  dispatch  is  a  rich  thing;  for 
time  is  the  measure  of  business,  as  money  is  of  wares; 
and  business  is  bought  at  a  dear  liand  where  there  is 
small  dispatch.  The  Spartans  and  Spaniards  have 
been  noted  to  be  of  small  dispatch:  "Mi  venga  la 
niuerte  de  Spagna;" — "Let  my  death  come  from 
Spain;"  for  then  it  will  be  sure  to  be  long  in  coming. 

Give  good  hearing  to  those  that  give  tlie  first  infor- 
mation in  business,  and  rather  direct  them  in  the  begin- 
ning, than  interrupt  them  in  the  continuance  of  their 
speeches;  for  he  that  is  put  out  of  his  own  order  will 
go  forward  and  backward,  and  be  more  tedious  wliile 
lie  waits  upon  his  memory,  than  he  could  have  been  if 
he  had  gone  on  in  his  own  course;  b\it  sometimes  it  is 
seen  that  the  moderator  is  more  troublesome  than  the 
actor. 

Iterations  are  commonly  loss  of  time;  but  there  is  no 
such  gain  of  time  as  to  iterate  often  the  state  of  the 
question;  for  it  chaseth  away  many  a  frivolous  speech 
.IS  it  is  coming  forth.  Long  and  curious  speeches  are 
as  fit  for  dispatch  as  a  robe,  or  mantle,  with  a  long 
train,  is  for  a  race.  Prefaces,  and  passages, f  and  excu- 
sations,^  and  other  speeches  of  reference  to  the  person, 
are  great  wastes  of  time;  and  though  they  seem  to  pro- 


*  It  is  supposed  that  he  here  alludes  to  Sir  AmyasPaiilet,  a 
very  able  statesman,  and  the  ambassador  of  Queen  Elizabeth  to 
the  court  of  France. 

t  Qtiotations.  t  Apologies. 


OF  SEEMING  WISE.  9ft 

ceed  of  modesty,  they  are  bravery.*  Yet  beware  of 
being  too  material  when  there  is  any  impediment,  or 
obstruction  in  men's  wills;  for  preoccupation  of  miud^' 
ever  requireth  preface  of  speech,  like  a  fomentation  to 
make  the  luiguent  enter. 

Above  ail  things,  order  and  distribution,  and  singling 
out  of  parts,  is  the  life  of  dispatch;  so  as  the  distribu- 
tion be  not  too  subtile:  for  he  that  doth  not  divide  will 
never  enter  well  into  business;  and  he  that  divideth  too 
much  will  never  come  out  of  it  clearly.  To  choose 
time  is  to  save  time;  and  an  unseasonable  motion  is  but 
beating  the  air.  There  be  three  parts  of  business:  the 
preparation;  the  debate,  or  examination;  and  the  per- 
fection. Whereof,  if  you  look  for  dispatch,  let  the 
middle  only  be  the  work  of  many,  and  the  first  and 
last  tbe  work  of  few.  The  proceeding,  upon  somewhat 
conceived  in  writing,  doth  for  the  most  part  facilitate 
dispatch;  for  though  it  should  be  wholly  rejected,  yet 
that  negative  is  more  pregnant  of  direction  than  an  ia- 
defiuite,  as  ashes  are  more  generative  than  dust. 

XXVI.— OF  SEEMING   WISE. 

It  hath  been  an  opinion,  that  the  French  are  wiser 
than  they  seem,  and  the  Spaniards  seem  wiser  than  they 
are;  but  howsoever  it  be  between  nations,  certainly,  it 
IS  so  between  man  and  man;  for  as  the  apostle  sailli  of 
godliness,  "  Having  a  show  of  godliness,  but  denying 
the  power  thereof;"  ^  so  certainly  there  are,  in  points  of 
wisdom  and  sufficiency,  that  do  nothing,  or  little  very 
solemnly;  "  magno  conatu  nugas."§  It  is  a  ridiculous 
thing,  and  tit  for  a  satire  to  persons  of  judgment,  to  see 

♦  Boasting.  t  Prejudice.  X  II.  Tim.  iii.  5. 

I  "  Trifles  with  great  effort." 


96  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

what  shifts  these  formalists  have,  and  what  prospcctives 
to  make  superlices  to  seem  body,  that  hath  depth  and 
bulk.  Some  are  so  close  and  reserved  as  they  will  not 
show  their  wares  but  by  a  dark  light,  and  eeem  always 
to  keep  back  somewhat;  aud  when  they  know  within 
themselves  they  speak  of  that  they  do  not  well  know, 
would  nevertheless  seem  to  others  to  know  of  that 
which  they  may  not  well  speak.  Some  help  themselves 
with  countenance  and  gesture,  and  are  wise  by  signs; 
as  Cicero  saith  of  Piso,  that  when  he  answered  hira  he 
fetched  one  of  his  brows  up  to  his  forehead,  and  bent 
the  other  down  to  his  chin;  "  Respondes,  altero  ad 
frontem  sublato,  altero  ad  mentum  deprcsso  supercilio; 
crudelitatemtibi  non  placere."*  Some  think  to  bear  it 
by  speaking  a  great  word,  and  being  peremptorj-;  and  go 
on,  and  take  by  admittancethat  which  they  cannot  make 
good.  Some,  whatsoever  is  beyond  their  reach,  will  seem 
to  despise,  or  make  light  of  it  as  impertinent  orciuious: 
and  so  would  have  their  ignorance  seem  judgment. 
Some  are  never  without  a  difference,  and  commonly  by 
amusing  men  with  a  subtiltj%  blanch  the  matter;  of 
whom  A.  Gellius  saith,  "  Hominem  delhum,  qui  ver- 
borum  minuliis  rerum  frangit  pondcra."  f  Of  which 
kind  also  Plato,  in  his  Protagoras,  bringeth  in  Prodicus 
in  scorn,  and  maketh  him  make  a  speech  that  consisteth 
of  distinctions  from  the  beginning  to  the  end.  Gen- 
erally such  men,  in  all  deliberations,  find  ease  to  heX  of 


*  "  With  one  brow  raised  to  your  forehead,  the  other  bent 
downward  to  your  chin,  you  answer  that  cruelty  delights  you 
not."' 

t  "  A  foolish  man  who  fritters  away  the  weight  of  matters  by 
fine-spun  triHing  on  words." 

t  Find  it  easier  to  malvu  difficulties  and  objections  than  to 
originate. 


OF  FRIENDSHIP.  97 

the  negative  side,  and  afEect  a  credit  to  object  and  fore- 
tell difficulties;  for  wlien  propositions  arc  denied,  there 
is  an  end  of  them;  but  if  they  be  allowed,  it  requireth 
a  new  work:  which  false  point  of  wisdom  is  the  bane  of 
business.  To  conclude,  there  is  no  decaying  merchant, 
or  inward  beggar,*  hath  so  many  tricks  to  uphold  the 
credit  of  wealth  as  these  empty  persons  have  to  main- 
tain the  credit  of  their  sufficiency.  Seeming  wise  men 
may  make  shift  to  get  opinion ;  but  let  no  man  choose 
them  for  employment;  for  certainly,  you  were  better 
take  for  business  a  man  somewhat  absurd  than  over- 
formal. 

XXVII.— OF  FRIENDSHIP. 

It  had  been  hard  for  him  that  spake  it  to  have  put 
more  truth  and  imtruth  together  in  few  words  tlian  in 
tliat  speech,  "Whosoever  is  delighted  in  solitude,  is 
either  a  wild  beast  or  a  god : "  f  for  it  is  most  true,  that 
a  natural  and  secret  hatred  and  aversion  towards  society 
in  any  man  hath  somewhat  of  the  savage  beast;  but  it  is 
most  untrue  that  it  should  have  any  character  at  all  of 
the  divine  nature,  except  it  proceed,  not  out  of  a  desire 
in  solitude,  but  out  of  a  love  and  desire  to  sequester  a 
man's  self  for  a  higher  conversation:  such  as  is  found 
to  have  been  falsely  and  feignedly  in  some  of  the 
heathen;    as  Epimenides,^:  the  Candian;    Numa,    the 

*  One  in  really  insolvent  circumstances,  though  to  the  world 
he  does  not  apjiear  so. 

t  He  here  quotes  from  a  passage  in  the  "  Politico'''  of  Aristotle, 
book  i.: 

"  He  who  is  unable  to  mingle  in  society,  or  who  requires  noth- 
ing, by  i-eiuson  of  sufflcirig  for  himself,  is  no  j>art  of  the  state,  so 
that  he  is  either  a  wild  beast  or  a  Divinity." 

t  Epimcnides,  a  poet  of  Crete  (of  which  Candia  is  the  modern 
name),  i«  said  by  Pliny  to  have  fallen  into  a  sleep  which  lasted 


98  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

Roman;  Empedocles,  the  Sicilian;  and  Apollonius  of 
Tyana;  and  truly  aud  really  in  divers  of  the  ancient 
hermits  and  holy  fathers  of  tlie  Church.  But  little  do 
men  perceive  what  solitude  is,  aud  how  far  it  extendeth; 
for  a  crowd  is  not  company,  and  faces  are  but  a  gallery 
of  pictures,  and  talk  but  a  tinkling  cymbal,  where  there 
is  no  Icve.  The  Latin  adage  meeteth  with  it  a  little, 
"Magna  civitas,  magna  solitudo;"*  because  in  a  great 
town  friends  are  scattered,  so  that  there  is  not  that  fel- 
lowship, for  the  most  part,  which  is  in  less  neighbor 
hoods;  but  we  may  go  further,  and  affirm  most  truly, 
that  it  is  a  mere  and  miserable  solitude  to  want  true 
friends,  without  which  the  world  is  but  a  wilderness; 
and  even  in  this  sense  also  of  solitude,  whosoever  in  the 
frame  of  his  nature  and  affections  is  unfit  for  friend- 
ship, he  taketh  it  of  the  beast,  and  not  from  humanity. 
A  principal  fruit  of  friendship  is  tlie  ease  and  dis- 
charge of  the  fulness  and  swellings  of  the  heart,  Avhich 
passions  of  all  kinds  do  cause  aud  induce.  We  know 
diseases  of  stoppings  and  suffocations  are  the  most  dan- 
gerous in  the  body ;  and  it  is  not  much  otherwise  in  the 


fifty-seven  years.  He  was  also  said  to  have  lived  299  years. 
Numa  pretended  that  he  was  instructed  in  the  art  of  legislation 
by  the  divine  nymph,  Egeria,  who  dwelt  in  the  Arican  grove. 
Empedocles,  the  Sicilian  philosopher,  declared  himself  to  be 
immortal,  and  to  be  able  to  cure  all  evils:  he  is  said  by  some  to 
have  retired  from  society  that  his  death  might  not  be  known, 
and  to  have  thrown  himself  into  the  crater  of  Mount  ^^^tna. 
Apollonius  of  Tyana,  the  Pj-thagorean  philosopher,  pretended 
to  miraculous  powers,  and  after  his  death  a  temple  was  erected  to 
him  at  that  place.  His  life  is  recorded  by  Philostratus ;  and 
some  persons,  among  whom  are  Hierocles,  Dr.  Store,  in  his  Mys- 
tery of  Godliness,  and  recently  Strauss,  have  not  hesitated  ta 
compare  his  miracles  with  those  of  our  Saviour. 
•  "A  great  city,  a  great  desert." 


OF  FRIENDSinP.  M 

mind;  you  may  take  sarza*  to  open  the  liver,  steel  to 
open  the  spleen,  flower  of  sulphur  for  the  lungs,  cas- 
toreum  f  for  the  brain ;  but  no  receipt  opeuetli  the  heart 
but  a  true  friend,  to  whom  you  may  impart  griefs,  joj'S, 
fears,  hopes,  suspicions,  counsels,  and  wliatsoever  lieth 
upon  the  heart  to  oppress  it,  in  a  kind  of  civil  shrift  or 
confession. 

It  is  a  strange  thing  to  observe  how  high  a  rate  great 
kings  and  monarchs  do  set  upon  this  fruit  of  friendship 
whereof  we  speak:  so  great,  as  they  purchase  it  many 
times  at  the  hazard  of  their  own  safet}-^  and  greatness: 
for  princes,  in  regard  of  the  distance  of  their  fortune 
from  tliat  of  their  subjects  and  servants,  cannot  gather 
this  fruit,  except  (to  make  themselves  capable  thereof) 
they  raise  some  jiersons  to  be  as  it  were  companions, 
and  almost  equals  to  themselves,  which  many  times 
Bortetli  to  inconvenience.  The  modern  languages  give 
unto  such  persons  the  name  of  favorites,  or  privadoes, 
as  if  it  were  matter  of  grace,  or  conversation;  but  the 
Roman  name  attaineth  the  true  use  and  cause  thereof, 
naming  them  "participes  curarum;"^  for  it  is  that 
whicli  tieth  the  knot:  and  we  see  plainly  that  this  hath 
been  done,  not  by  weak  and  passionate  princes  only, 
but  by  the  wisest  and  most  politic  that  ever  reigned, 
who  have  oftentimes  joined  to  themselves  some  of  their 
servauts,  whom  both  themselves  have  called  friends, 
and  allowed  others  likewise  to  call  them  in  the  same 
manner,  using  the  word  which  is  received  between  pri- 
vate men. 

L.  Sylla,  when  he  commanded  Rome,  raised  Pompey 


♦  Sarsaparilla. 

t  A  liquid  matter  of  a  pungent  smell,  extracted  from  a  portioii 
of  the  body  of  the  beaver. 
X  "  Partakers  of  cares." 


100  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

(after  surnamed  the  Great)  to  that  lieight  that  Pompcy 
vaunted  himself  for  Sylla's  overmatch;  for  when  lie  liad 
carried  the  consulship  for  a  friend  of  his,  against  the 
pursuit  of  Sylla,  and  that  Sylla  did  a  little  resent  there- 
at, and  began  to  speak  great,  Pompey  turned  upon  him 
again,  and  in  effect  bade  him  be  quiet;  for  that  more 
men  adored  the  sun  rising  than  the  sun  setting.  With 
Julius  Caesar,  Decimus  Brutus  had  obtained  that  inter- 
est, as  he  set  him  down  in  his  testament  for  heir  in  re- 
mainder after  his  nephew;  and  this  was  the  man  that 
had  power  with  him  to  draw  him  forth  to  his  death :  for 
when  Caesar  would  have  discharged  the  senate,  in  re- 
gard of  some  ill  presages,  and  specially  a  dream  of  Cal- 
phurnia,  this  man  lifted  him  gently  by  the  arm  out  of 
his  chair,  telling  him  he  hoped  he  would  not  dismiss 
the  senate  till  his  wife  had  dreamt  a  better  dream;  and 
it  seemeth  his  favor  was  so  great,  as  Antonius,  in  a  let- 
ter which  is  recited  verbatim  in  one  of  Cicero's  Philip- 
pics, calleth  him  "venefica," — "witch;"  as  if  he  had 
enchanted  Caesar.  Augustus  raised  Agrippa  (though  of 
mean  birth)  to  that  height,  as,  when  he  consulted  with 
Maecenas  about  the  marriage  of  his  daughter  Julia, 
Maecenas  took  the  liberty  to  tell  him,  that  he  must 
either  marry  his  daughter  to  Agrippa,  or  take  away 
his  life:  there  was  no  third  way,  he  had  made  him  so 
great.  With  Tiberius  Caesar,  Sejanus  had  ascended  to 
that  height,  as  they  two  were  termed  and  reckoned  as  a 
pair  of  friends.  Tiberius,  in  a  letter  to  him,  saith, 
"Haec  pro  amicitia  nostra  non  occultavi,"*  and  the 
whole  senate  dedicated  an  altar  to  Friendship,  as  to  a 
goddess,  ih  respect  of  the  great  dearness  of  friendship 


*  "Tliese  things,  by  reason  of  our  friendship,  I  have  not  com 
oealed/roju  you.''' 


OF  FRIENDSHIP.  101 

between  Ibem  two.  The  like,  or  more,  was  between 
Septiinius  Soverus  and  Plaulianus;  for  be  forced  bis 
eldest  son  to  marry  Ibe  daugbter  of  Plautiauus,  and 
would  often  maintain  Plautianus  in  doing  aifronts  to 
liis  son;  and  did  write  also,  in  a  letter  to  the  senate,  by 
tbese  words:  "  I  love  Ibe  man  so  well,  as  I  wish  be  may 
over-live  me."  Now,  if  tbese  princes  bad  been  as  a 
Trajan,  or  a  Marcus  Aurelius,  a  man  might  have 
Ibouglit  that  this  bad  proceeded  of  an  abundant  good- 
ness of  nature;  but  being  men  so  wise,*of  such  strength 
and  severity  of  mind,  and  so  extreme  lovers  of  them- 
selves, as  all  tbese  were,  it  proveth  most  plainly  that 
they  found  their  own  felicity  (though  as  great  as  ever 
happened  to  mortal  men)  but  as  an  half-piece,  except 
they  might  have  a  friend  to  make  it  entire;  and  yet, 
which  is  more,  they  were  princes  that  had  wives,  sons, 
nephews ;  and  yet  all  these  could  not  supply  the  comfort 
of  friendship. 

It  is  not  to  be  forgotten  what  Comineusf  observeth 
of  his  first  master,  Duke  Ciiarles  the  Hardy,^  name- 
ly, that  be  would  communicate  bis  secrets  with  none; 
and  least  of  all,  those  secrets  which  troubled  him 
most.  Whereupon  he  goeth  on,  and  saith,  that  to- 
wards bis  latter  time  that  closeness  did  impair  and 
a  little  perish  his  understanding.  Surely  Comiueus 
might  have  made  the  same  judgment   also,  if  it  had 

*  Such  infamous  men  as  Tiberius  and  Sejanus  hardly  deserrs 
this  commendation. 

t  Philip  de  Comines. 

t  Charles  the  Bold,  duke  of  Burgundy,  the  valiant  antagonist 
of  Louis  XI.  of  France.  De  Comines  spent  iiis  early  years  at  his 
court,  but  afterwards  passed  into  the  service  of  Louis  XI.  This 
monarch  was  notorious  for  his  cruelty,  treachery,  and  dissimu- 
lation, and  had  all  the  bad  qualities  of  his  contemporary,  Ed- 
ward IV.  of  England,  williout  any  of  his  redeeming  virtues. 


102  BACON'S  ESS  ATS. 

pleased  him,  of  his  second  muster,  Louis  the  Eiev- 
eulli,  whose  closeness  was  iudeed  liis  l-ormentor.  'I'he 
parable  of  Pythagoras  is  dark,  but  true,  "Cor  ne 
edito," — "eat  no*  the  heart."*  Certainly,  if  a  man 
would  give  it  a  hard  phrase,  those  that  want  friends  to 
open  themselves  unto  are  cannibals  of  their  own  hearts: 
but  one  thing  is  most  admirable  (wherewith  1  will  con- 
clude this  first  fruit  of  friendship),  which  is,  that  this 
communicating  of  a  man's  self  to  his  friend  works  two 
contrary  effects;  for  it  redoubleth  joys,  and  cutteth 
griefs  in  lialves;  for  there  is  no  man  that  imparteth  his 
joys  to  his  friend,  but  he  joyeth  the  more ;  and  no  man 
that  impartetii  his  griefs  to  his  friend,  but  he  grieveth 
the  less.  So  that  it  is,  in  truth,  of  operation  upon  a 
man's  mind  of  like  virtue  as  the  alchymists  used  to  at- 
tribute to  their  stone  for  man's  body,  that  it  worketh  all 
contrary  effects,  but  still  to  the  good  and  benefit  of  na- 
ture: but  yet,  without  praying  in  aid  of  alchymists, 
there  is  a  manifest  image  of  this  in  the  ordinary  course 
of  nature;  for,  in  bodies,  union  strengthoneth  and  cher- 
isheth  any  natural  action:  and,  on  the  other  side,  weak- 
eneth  and  dulleth  any  violent  impression;  and  even  so 
is  it  of  minds. 

The  second  fruit  of  friendship  is  healthful  and  sover- 
eign for  the  understanding,  as  tlie  first  is  for  the  affec- 
tions; for  friendship  maketh  indeed  a  fair  day  m  the 
affections  from  storm  and  tempests,  but  it  maketh  day- 


•  Pythagoras  went  still  further  than  this,  as  he  forbade  his  dis- 
ciples to  eat  flesh  of  any  kind  whatever.  See  the  interesting 
speech  which  Ovid  attributes  to  him  in  the  Fifteenth  book  of 
the  Metamorphos&s.  Sir  Thomas  Browne,  in  his  Pseudodoxia 
(Browne's  Works.  Bohn's  Antiquarian  edn.,  vol.  i.  p.  '27,  et  seq.), 
Ki'es  some  curious  explanations  of  the  doctrines  of  this  philo 
8<    ber. 


OF  FRIENDSHIP.  103 

light  ID  tba  understanding,  out  of  darliness  and  confu- 
siou  of  thoughts:  neillier  is  this  to  be  understood  only 
of  faithful  counsel,  which  a  man  receivelh  from  his 
friend;  but  before  you  come  to  that,  certain  it  is,  that 
■whosoever  hath  his  mind  fraught  with  many  thoughts, 
his  wits  and  understanding  do  clarify  and  break  up  in  the 
communicating  and  discoursing  with  another;  he  toss- 
eth  his  tlioughts  more  easily;  he  niarshaileth  them  moro 
orderly;  he  seeth  how  they  look  when  they  are  turned 
into  words;  finally,  he  waxeth  wiser  than  himself;  and 
that  more  by  an  hour's  discourse  than  by  a  daj^'s  medi- 
tation. It  was  well  said  by  Themistocles  to  the  king  of 
Persia,  "  That  speech  was  like  cloth  of  Arras,*  opened 
and  put  abroad;  whereby  the  imagery  doth  appear  in 
figure;  whereas  in  thoughts  they  lie  but  as  in  packs." 
Neither  is  this  second  fruit  of  friendship,  in  opening 
the  understanding,  restrained  only  to  such  friends  as  are 
able  to  give  a  man  counsel  (they  indeed  are  best),  but 
even  without  that  a  man  learneth  of  himself,  and  bring- 
eth  his  own  thoughts  to  light,  and  wheltelh  his  wits  as 
against  a  stone,  which  itself  cuts  not.  In  a  word,  a 
man  were  better  relate  himself  to  a  statue  or  picture, 
than  to  suffer  his  thoughts  to  pass  in  smother. 

Add  now,  to  make  this  second  fruit  of  friendship 
complete,  that  other  point  which  lieth  more  open,  and 
fallelh  within  vulgar  observation:  which  is  faithful 
counsel  from  a  friend.  Heraclitus  saith  well  in  one  o( 
his  enigmas,  "  Dry  light  is  ever  the  best:"  and  certaiu 
it  is,  that  tlie  light  that  a  man  receiveth  by  counsel 
from  another,  is  drier  and  purer  than  I  hat  which  cometl 
from  his  own  understanding  and  judgment;  which  ii 

*  Tapestry.  Speaking  hypercritically.  Lord  Bacon  commits 
an  anaclironism  here,  as  Arras  did  not  manufacture  tapestry  till 
the  middle  ages. 


104  BACON'S  ESSAYS.      " 

ever  infused  aud  drenched  iu  his  affections  and  customs. 
So  as  there  is  as  much  difference  between  the  counsel 
Ihat  a  friend  giveth,  and  that  a  man  giveth  himself,  as 
there  is  between  the  counsel  of  a  friend  and  of  a  flat- 
terer; for  there  is  no  such  flatterer  as  is  a  man's  self, 
and  there  is  no  such  remedy  against  flattery  of  a  man's 
self  as  the  liberty  of  a  friend.  Counsel  is  of  two  sorts; 
the  one  concerning  manners,  the  other  concerning  busi- 
ness: for  the  first,  the  best  preservative  to  keep  the 
mind  iu  health,  is  the  faithful  admonition  of  a  friend. 
The  calling  of  a  man's  self  to  a  strict  account  is  a  medi- 
cine sometimes  too  piercing  and  corrosive;  reading 
good  books  of  morality  is  a  little  flat  and  dead;  observ- 
•ing  our  faults  in  others  is  sometimes  improper  for  our 
case;  but  the  best  receipt  (best  I  say  to  work  and  best 
to  take)  is  the  admonition  of  a  friend.  It  is  a  strange 
thing  to  behold  what  gross  errors  aud  extreme  absurdities 
many  (especially  of  the  greater  sort)  do  commit  for  want 
of  a  friend  to  tell  them  of  them,  to  the  great  damage 
both  of  their  fame  aud  fortune:  for,  as  St.  James  saith, 
they  are  as  men  "  that  look  sometimes  into  a  glass,  and 
presently  forget  their  own  shape  and  favor."*  As  for 
business,  a  man  may  think,  if  he  will,  that  two  eyes  see 
no  more  than  one;  or,  that  a  gamester  seeth  always 
more  than  a  looker-on;  or,  that  a  man  in  anger  is  as 
wise  as  he  that  hath  said  over  the  four  and  twenty  let- 
ters;! or,  that  a  musket  may  be  shot  off  as  well  upon 
the  arm  as  upon  a  rest;  X  and  such  other  fond  and  high 

*  James  i.  83. 

t  He  alludes  to  the  recommendation  which  moralists  liave 
often  given,  that  a  person  in  anger  should  go  through  the  alpha- 
bet to  himself  before  he  allows  himself  to  .«;peak. 

t  In  his  day  the  musket  was  fixed  upon  a  stand,  called  the 
"  rest,"  much  as  the  gingals  or  matchlocks  are  used  in  the  East 
at  the  present  day. 


OF  FRIENDSHIP.  105 

imnginations,  to  tbiuk  himself  all  in  all:  but  wlieu  all 
is  done,  the  help  of  good  counsel  is  that  which  setteth 
business  straight:  and  if  any  mau  think  that  he  will 
take  counsel,  but  it  shall  be  by  pieces;  asking  counsel 
in  one  business  of  one  man,  and  in  another  business  of 
another  man,  it  is  well  (that  is  to  say,  better,  perhaps, 
than  if  he  asked  none  at  all);  but  he  runneth  two  dan- 
gers; one,  that  he  shall  not  be  faithfully  counselled; 
for  it  is  a  rare  thing,  except  it  be  from  a  perfect  and  en- 
tire friend,  to  have  counsel  given,  but  such  as  shall  be 
bowed  and  crooked  to  some  ends  which  he  hath  that 
giveth  it:  the  other,  that  he  shall  have  counsel  given, 
hurtful  and  unsafe  (though  with  good  meaning),  and 
mixed  partly  of  mischief,  and  partly  of  remedy;  even 
as  if  you  would  call  a  physician,  that  is  thought  good 
for  llu!  cure  of  the  disease  you  complain  of,  but  is  un- 
acquainted with  your  body ;  and,  therefore,  may  put 
you  in  a  way  for  a  present  cure,  but  overthroweth  your 
health  in  some  other  kind,  and  so  cure  the  disease,  and 
kill  the  patient:  but  a  friend,  that  is  wholly  acquainted 
with  a  man's  estate  will  beware,  by  furthering  any 
present  business,  how  he  dasheth  upon  the  other  incon- 
venience, and  therefore,  rest  not  upon  scattered  coun- 
sels; they  will  rather  distract  and  mislead,  than  settle 
and  direct. 

After  these  two  noble  fruits  of  friendship  (peace  in 
the  affections,  and  support  of  the  judgment),  followeth 
the  last  fruit,  which  is  like  the  pomegranate,  full  of 
many  kernels;  I  mean  aid.  and  bearing  a  part  in  all  ac- 
tions and  occasions.  Here  the  best  way  to  represent  to 
life  the  manifold  use  of  friendship,  is  to  cast  and  see 
how  many  things  there  are  which  a  man  cannot  do  him- 
self; and  then  it  will  appear  that  it  Avas  a  sparing  speech 
of  the  ancients  to  say,  "  that  a  friend  is  another  him- 


106  BACuN'S  ESSAYS. 

Bc'lf;"  for  that  a  frieud  is  far  more  than  himself.  Men 
have  their  time,  ami  die  many  times  in  desire  of  some 
tilings  which  they  priucipaliy  take  to  iieart;  the  bestow- 
ing of  a  child,  the  finishing  of  a  work,  or  the  like.  If 
a  man  have  a  true  friend,  he  may  rest  almost  secure 
tliat  the  care  of  those  things  will  continue  after  him;  so 
tiiat  a  man  hath,  as  it  were,  two  lives  in  his  desires.  A 
man  hath  a  body,  and  tliat  body  is  confined  to  a  place; 
but  where  friendship  is,  all  offices  of  life  are,  as  it  were, 
granted  to  him  and  his  deputy;  for  he  may  exercise 
tliem  by  his  friend.  How  many  things  are  there, 
which  a  man  cannot,  with  any  face  or  comeliness,  say 
or  do  himself?  A  man  can  scarce  allege  his  own  merits 
with  modesty,  much  less  extol  them:  a  man  cannot 
sometimes  brook  to  supplicate,  or  beg,  and  a  number 
of  the  like:  but  all  these  tilings  aregiaceful  in  a  friend's 
mouth,  which  are  blushing  in  a  man's  own.  So  again, 
ft  man's  person  hath  many  proper  relations  which  he 
cannot  put  off.  A  man  cannot  speak  to  his  son  but  as 
u  father;  to  his  wife  but  as  a  husband;  to  his  enemy 
but  upon  terras;  whereas  a  friend  may  speak  as  the 
case  requires,  and  not  as  it  sorteth  with  the  person :  but 
to  enumerate  these  things  were  endless;  I  have  given 
the  rule,  where  a  man  cannot  fitly  play  his  own  part,  if 
he  have  not  a  friend,  he  may  quit  the  stage. 

XXVIII.— OP  EXPENSE. 
HiCHES  are  for  spending,  and  spending  for  honor 
and  good  actions;  therefore  extraordinary  expense 
nnist  be  limited  by  the  worth  of  the  occasion;  for  vol- 
imtary  undoing  may  be  as  well  for  a  man's  countr}'  as 
for  kingdom  of  heaven;  but  ordinary  expense  ought  to 
be  limited  by  a  man's  estate,  and  governed  with  such 


OB'  EXPENSE.  107 

regard,  as  it  be  williiii  his  compass;  and  not  subject  to 
deceit  und  abuse  of  servants;  and  ordered  to  the  best 
sliow,  that  the  bills  may  be  less  than  the  estimation 
abroad.  Certainly,  if  a  man  will  keep  but  of  even 
hand,  his  ordinary  expenses  onght  to  be  but  to  the  half 
of  liis  receipts;  and  if  he  think  to  wax  rich,  but  to  the 
tiiid  part.  It  is  no  baseness  for  the  greatest  to  descend 
ami  look  into  their  own  estate.  Some  forbear  it,  not 
upon  negligence  alone,  i>ut  doubting  to  bring  theiu- 
seWes  into  melancholy,  in  respect  they  shall  find  it 
broken :  but  wounds  cannot  be  cured  without  searching. 
He  that  cannot  look  into  his  own  estate  at  all,  had 
need  both  choose  well  those  whom  he  employeth,  and 
change  them  often;  for  new  are  more  timorous  and  less 
subtle.  He  that  can  look  into  his  estate  but  seldom,  it 
behoveth  him  to  turn  all  to  certainties.  A  man  had 
need,  if  he  be  plentiful  in  some  kind  of  expense,  to  be 
as  saving  again  in  some  other:  as  if  he  be  plentiful  in 
diet,  to  be  saving  in  apparel:  if  he  be  plentiful  in  the 
hall,  to  be  saving  in  the  stable:  and  the  like.  For  he 
that  is  plentiful  in  expenses  of  all  kinds  will  hardly  be 
preserved  from  decay.  In  clearing*  of  a  man's  estate, 
he  may  as  well  hurt  himself  in  being  too  sudden,  as  in 
letting  it  run  ou  too  long;  for  hasty  selling  is  commonly 
as  disadvantageablc  as  interest.  Besides,  he  that  clears 
at  once  will  relapse;  for  finding  liimself  out  of  straits, 
he  will  revert  to  his  customs:  but  he  that  cleareth  by- 
degrees  inducelh  a  habit  of  frugality,  and  gaineth  as 
well  upon  his  mind  as  upon  his  estate.  Certainly,  who 
hath  a  state  to  repair,  may  not  despise  small  things;  and, 
commonly,  it  is  less  dishonorable  to  abridge  petty 
charges  than  to  stoop  to  petty  gettings.     A  man  ought 


*  From  debts  and  lncu:iibranceB. 


108  BACOJS'IS  ESSAYS. 

■warily  to  begiu  charges,  which  once  begun  ■will  con 
dniic:  but  in  matters  tliat  returu  not,  he  may  be  more 
inaguilicent. 

XXIX.— OF  THE  TRUE  GREATNESS  OF 
KINGDOMS  AND  ESTATES. 

The  speech  of  Themistocles,  the  Athenian,  which  was 
haughty  and  arrogant,  in  taking  so  much  to  himself,  had 
been  a  grave  and  wise  observation  and  censure,  applied 
at  large  to  others.  Desired  at  a  feast  to  touch  a  lute,  he 
said,  "He  could  not  tiddle,  but  yet  he  could  make  a 
small  town  a  great  city,"  These  words  (holpen  a  little 
■with  a  metaphor)  may  express  two  diilerent  abilities  in 
those  that  deal  in  business  of  estate;  for  if  a  true  survey 
be  taken  of  counsellors  and  statesmen,  there  may  be 
found  (though  rarely)  those  which  can  make  a  small 
state  great,  and  yet  cannot  tiddle:  as,  on  the  other  side, 
tliere  ■will  be  found  a  great  many  that  can  fiddle  very 
cunningly,  but  yet  are  so  far  from  being  able  to  make  a 
small  state  great,  as  there  gift  lieth  the  other  way;  to 
bring  a  great  and  flourishing  estate  to  ruin  and  decay. 
And  certainly,  those  degenerate  arts  and  shifts  whereby 
many  counsellors  and  governors  gain  both  favor  with 
their  masters  and  estimation  with  the  vulgar,  deserve 
no  better  name  than  fiddling;  being  things  rather  pleas- 
ing for  the  time,  and  graceful  to  themselves  only,  than 
tending  to  the  weal  and  advancement  of  the  state  ■whicii 
they  serve.  There  are  also  (no  doubt)  counsellors  and 
governors  which  may  be  held  sufficient,  "  uegotiis 
pares," ■*  able  to  manage  affairs,  and  to  keep  them  from 
precipices  and  manifest  inconveniences;  which,  uevei- 


*  "  Equal  to  business." 


OF  KINGDOMS  AND  ESTATES.  109 

thcless,  are  far  from  the  ability  to  raise  aud  amplify  an 
estate  in  power,  means,  aud  fortune:  but  be  the  work- 
men what  lliey  may  be,  let  us  speak  of  the  work;  that 
is,  the  true  greatness  of  kingdoms  and  estates,  and  the 
means  thereof.  An  argument  fit  for  great  and  mighty 
princes  to  have  in  their  hand;  to  the  end  that  neither  by 
over-measuring  their  forces,  they  lose  themselves  in 
vain  enterprises:  nor,  on  the  other  side,  by  undervalu- 
ing them,  they  descend  to  fearful  and  pusilhinimous 
counsels. 

The  greatness  of  an  estate,  in  bulk  aud  territory,  doth 
fall  under  measure;  and  the  greatness  of  finances  and 
revenues  doth  fall  under  computation.  Tlie  population 
may  appear  by  musters;  and  the  number  and  greatness 
of  cities  and  towns  by  cards  and  maps;  but  yet  there  is 
not  anything  amongst  civil  affaii-s  more  subject  to  error 
than  the  right  valuation  and  true  judgment  concerning 
the  power  and  forces  of  an  estate.  The  kingdom  of 
heaven  is  compared,  not  to  any  great  kernel,  or  nut,  but 
to  a  grain  of  mustard-seed;*  which  is  one  of  the  least 
grains,  but  hath  in  it  a  property  aud  spirit  hastily'  to  get 
up  and  spread.  So  are  there  states  great  in  territory, 
and  yet  not  apt  to  enlarge  or  command ;  and  some  that 
have  but  a  small  dimension  of  stem,  and  yet  apt  to  be 
the  foundations  of  great  monarchies. 

Walled  towns,  stored  ai-senals  and  armories,  goodly 
races  of  horse,  chariots  of  war,  elephants,  ordnance, 
artillery,  and  the  like;  all  this  is  but  a  sheep  in  a  lion's 

*  Ue  alludes  to  the  following  passage,  St.  Matthew  xiil.  31: 
"  Another  jmrable  put  he  forth  unto  them,  saying,  The  kingdom 
of  heaven  is  like  a  grain  of  mustard-seed,  which  a  man  took  and 
sowed  in  his  field:  which  indeed  is  the  least  of  alls«<eds;  but 
when  it  is  grown,  it  is  the  greatest  among  herbs,  and  becometh  a 
tree,  so  that  the  birds  of  the  air  come  and  lodge  in  the  branches 
thereof." 


110  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

skin,  except  the  breed  and  disposition  of  the  people  be 
stout  and  warlike.  Nay,  number  itself  in  armies  im- 
porteth  not  much,  where  the  people  is  of  weak  courage; 
for,  as  Virgil  saith,  "  It  never  troubles  a  wolf  how  many 
the  sheep  be."  The  army  of  the  Persians  in  the  plains 
of  Arbela  was  such  a  vast  sea  of  people,  as  it  did  some- 
what astonish  the  commander?  in  Alexander's  army, 
who  came  to  him,  tlierefore,  and  wished  him  to  set 
upon  them  by  night;  but  lie  answered,  "  He  will  not 
pilfer  the  victory:  and  the  defeat  was  easy.  When 
Tigranes,*  the  Armenian,  being  encamped  upon  a  hill 
with  four  hundred  thousand  men,  discovered  the  army 
of  the  Romans,  being  not  above  fourteen  thousand, 
marching  towards  him,  he  made  himself  merry  with  it, 
and  said,  "  Yonder  men  are  too  many  for  an  anibassage, 
and  too  few  for  a  fight;"  but  before  the  sun  set,  he 
found  them  enow  to  give  him  the  chase  with  infinite 
slaughter.  Many  are  the  examples  of  the  great  odds 
between  number  and  courage:  so  that  a  man  may  truly 
make  a  judgment,  that  the  principal  point  of  greatness 
in  any  state  is  to  have  a  race  of  military  men.  Neither 
is  money  the  sinews  of  war  (as  it  is  trivially  said),  where 
the  sinews  of  men's  arms  in  base  and  effeminate  people 
are  failing:  for  Solon  said  well  to  Croesus  (when  in 
ostentation  he  showed  him  his  gold),  "Sir,  if  any  other 
come  that  hath  better  iron  than  you,  he  will  be  master 
of  all  this  gold."  Therefore,  let  any  prince,  or  state, 
think  soberly  of  his  forces,  except  his  militia  of  natives 
be  of  good  and  valiant  soldiers;  and  let  princes,  on  the 
other  side,  that  have  subjects  of  martial  disposition, 
know  their  own  strength,   unless  they  be  otherwise 


*  He  was  vanquished  by  LucuUus,  and  finally  submitted  to 
Pompey. 


OF  KINOD0M8  AND  ESTATES.  Ill 

wanting  unto  themselves.  As  for  mercenary  forces 
(which  is  the  help  in  this  case),  all  examples  show  that, 
whatsoever  estate,  or  prince,  doth  rest  upon  tiiem,  he 
may  spread  his  feathers  for  a  time,  but  he  will  mew 
them  soon  after. 

The  blessing  of  Judah  and  Issachar*  will  never  meet; 
that  the  same  people,  or  nation,  should  be  both  the 
lion's  whelp  and  the  ass  between  burdens;  neither  will 
tt  be,  that  a  people  overlaid  with  taxes  should  ever  be- 
come valiant  and  marti:il.  It  is  true  that  taxes,  levied 
by  consent  of  the  estate,  do  abate  men's  courage  less;  as 
it  hiilh  been  seen  notably  in  the  excises  of  the  Low 
Countries;  and,  in  some  degree,  in  the  subsidies f  of 
England;  for,  you  must  note,  that  we  speak  now  of  the 
heart,  and  not  of  the  purse;  so  that,  although  the  same 
trilmte  and  tax  laid  by  consent  or  b}'  imposing,  be  all 
one  to  the  purse,  yet  it  works  diversel}'  uj)on  the  courage. 
So  that  you  may  conclude,  that  no  people  overcharged 
with  tribute  is  fit  for  empire. 

Let  states  that  aim  at  greatness  take  heed  how  their 
nobility  and  gentlemen  do  multiply  too  fast;  for  that 
maketli  the  common  subject  grow  to  be  a  peasant 
and  base  swain,  driven  out  of  heart,  and  in  effect  but 
the  gentleman's  laborer.  Even  as  you  may  see  in 
coppice  woods;  if  you  leave  your  staddles  |  too  thick, 
you  shall  never  have  clean  underwood,  but  shrubs  and 

*  He  alludes  to  the  prophetic  words  of  Jacob  on  his  death-bed, 

Gen.  xlix.  9,  14,  15:    "Judah  is  a  lion's  whelp he  stooped 

down,  he  crouched  as  a  lion,  and  as  an  old  lion Issachar  is  a 

strong  ass  crouching  down  between  two  burdens:  And  he  saw 
tiiat  i-est  was  good,  and  the  land  that  it  was  pleasant:  and  bowed 
his  shoulder  to  bear,  and  became  a  servant  unto  tribute." 

t  Sums  of  money  voluntarily  contributed  by  the  people  for  the 
use  of  the  sovereign, 

%  Young  trees. 


112  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

bushes.  So  in  couutries,  if  the  gentlemen  be  too  many, 
the  commons  will  be  base;  and  you  will  bring  it  to  that, 
that  not  the  hundred  poll  will  be  fit  for  a  helmet:  especi- 
ally as  to  the  infantry,  which  is  the  nerve  of  an  army; 
and  so  there  will  be  great  population  and  little  strength. 
This  which  I  speak  of  hath  been  nowhere  better  seen 
than  by  comparing  of  England  and  France;  whereof 
England,  though  for  less  in  territory  and  population, 
hath  been  (nevertheless)  an  overmatch;  in  regard  the 
middle  people  of  England  make  good  soldiers,  which 
the  peasants  of  France  do  not;  and  herein  the  device  of 
King  Henry  the  Seventh  (whereof  I  have  spoken  largely 
in  the  history  of  his  life)  was  profound  and  admirable; 
in  making  farms  and  houses  of  husbandry  of  a  standard; 
that  is,  maintained  with  such  a  proportion  of  land  unto 
them  as  may  breed  a  subject  to  live  in  convenient  plenty, 
and  no  servile  condition;  and  to  keep  the  plough  in  the 
hands  of  the  owners,  and  not  mere  hirelings;  and  thus 
indeed  you  shall  attain  to  Virgil's  character,  which  he 
gives  to  ancient  Italy: 

"  Terra  potens  armis  atque  ubere  glebae."  ♦ 

Neither  is  that  state  (which,  for  anything  I  know, 
is  almost  peculiar  to  England,  and  hardly  to  be  found 
anywhere  else,  except  it  be,  perhaps,  in  Poland)  to 
be  passed  over;  I  mean  the  state  of  free  servants  and 
attendants  upon  noblemen  and  gentlemen,  which  are 
no  ways  inferior  unto  the  yeomanry  for  arms ;  and, 
therefore,  out  of  all  question,  the  splendor  and  magnif- 
icence, and  great  retinues,  and  hospitality  of  noblemen 
and  gentlemen  received  into  custom,  do  much  conduce 
unto  martial  gi-eatness;  whereas,  contrariwise,  the  close 

*  "  A  land  strong  in  arms  and  in  the  richness  of  the  soil." 


OF  KINGDOMS  AND  ESTATES.  113 

and  reserved  living  of  noblemen  and  gentlemen  causetli 
a  j)euury  of  military  forces. 

By  all  means  it  is  to  be  procured  that  tbe  trunk  of 
Nebucliadnezzar's  tree  of  monarchy  *  be  great  enough  to 
bear  the  branches  and  the  boughs;  that  is,  that  the  nat- 
ural subjects  of  the  crown,  or  state,  bear  a  sufficient 
proportion  to  the  stronger  subjects  that  they  govern- 
therefore  all  states  that  are  liberal  of  naturalization 
towards  strangers  are  fit  for  empire;  for  to  think  that  a 
handful  of  people  can,  with  the  greatest  courage  and 
policy  in  the  world,  embrace  too  large  extent  of  domin- 
ion, it  may  hold  for  a  time,  but  it  will  fail  suddenly. 
The  Spartans  were  a  nice  people  in  point  of  naturaliza- 
tion; whereby,  while  they  kept  their  compass,  they 
stootl  firm;  but  wlien  they  did  spread,  and  their  boughs 
were  becoming  too  great  for  their  stem,  they  became  a 
windfall  upon  the  sudden.  Never  any  state  was,  in 
this  point,  so  open  to  receive  strangers  into  their  body 
as  were  the  Romans;  therefore  it  sorted  with  them  ac- 
cordingly, for  they  grew  to  the  greatest  monarchy. 
Their  manner  was  to  grant  naturalization  (which  they 
called  "  jus  civitatis"),f  and  to  grant  it  in  the  highest 
degree,  that  is,  not  only  "jus  commercii,:^  jus  connu- 
bii.§  jus  hatred  i  tat  is;"  I  but  also,  "  jus  sufTragii.''^^  and 

*  He  alludes  to  the  dream  of  Nebuchadnezzar,  which  is  men- 
tioned Daniel  iv.  10:  '"I  saw,  and,  behold  a  tree  in  the  midst  of 
the  earth,  and  the  height  thereof  was  great.  The  tree  grew,  and 
was  strong,  and  the  height  thereof  reached  unto  heaven,  and  the 
sight  thereof  to  the  end  of  all  the  earth;  the  leaves  thereof  were 
fair,  and  the  fruit  thereof  much,  and  in  it  was  meat  for  all;  the 
beasts  of  the  field  had  shadow  under  it.  and  the  fowls  of  the 
heaven  dwflt  in  the  boughs  thereof,  and  all  flesh  was  fed  of  it." 

t  "  Right  of  citizenship."  %  "  Kight  of  trading." 

§  "  Right  of  intermarriage."  I  "  Right  of  inheritance." 

1 '  Riglit  of  suffnvge." 


114  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

"jus  honorum;"  *  and  this  not  to  singular  persons 
alone,  but  likewise  to  whole  families;  j'ca,  to  cities,  and 
sometimes  to  nations.  Add  to  this  their  custom  of  plan- 
tation of  colonies,  whereby  the  Roman  plant  was  re- 
moved into  the  soil  of  other  nations,  and,  putting  both 
constitutions  together,  you  will  say,  that  it  was  not  the 
Romans  that  spread  upon  the  world,  but  it  was  the 
world  that  spread  upon  the  Romans;  and  that  was  the 
sure  way  of  greatness.  I  have  marvelled  sometimes  at 
Spain,  how  they  clasp  and  contain  so  large  dominions 
with  so  few  natural  Spaniards;  f  but  sure  the  whole 
compass  of  Spain  is  a  very  great  body  of  a  tree,  far 
above  Rome  and  Sparta  at  the  first;  and,  besides, 
though  they  have  not  had  that  usage  to  naturalize  liber- 
erally,  yet  they  have  that  which  is  next  to  it;  that  is,  to 
employ,  almost  indifferently,  all  nations  in  their  militia 
of  ordinary  soldiers;  yea,  and  sometimes  in  their  high- 
est commands;  nay,  it  seemeth  at  this  instant  they  are 
sensible  of  this  want  of  natives;  as  by  the  pragmatical 
sanction, $  now  published,  appeareth. 

It  is  certain,  that  sedentary  and  within-door  arts,  and 
delicate  mauufacturers  (that  require  rather  the  finger 
than  the  arm),  have  in  their  nature  a  contrariety  to  a 
military  disposition;  and  generally  all  warlike  people 
are  a  little  idle,  and  love  danger  better  than  travail; 
neither  must  they  be  too  much  broken  of  it,  if  they 
shall  be  preserved  in  vigor;  therefore  it  was  great  ad- 


*  "Right  of  honors." 

+  Long  since  the  time  of  Lord  Bacon,  as  soon  as  these  colonies 
had  arrived  at  a  certain  state  of  maturity,  they  at  different  peri- 
ods revolted  from  the  mother  country. 

t  The  law.s  and  ordinances  promulgated  by  the  sovereigns  of 
Spain  were  so  called.  The  term  was  derived  from  the  Byzantine 
empire. 


OF  KINGDOMS  AND  ESTATES.  115 

vantage  in  the  ancient  states  of  Sparta,  Athens,  Rome, 
and  otliers,  that  tliey  had  tlie  use  of  slaves,  whicli  com- 
monly did  rid  those  manufacturers;  but  that  Is  abol- 
ished, in  greatest  part  by  the  Christian  law.  That 
which  coraeth  nearest  to  it  is,  to  leave  those  arts  chietly 
to  strangers  (which,  for  that  purpose,  are  the  more  eas- 
ily lo  be  received),  and  to  contain  the  principal  bulk  of 
the  vulgar  natives  within  those  three  kinds,  tillers  of 
the  ground,  free  servants,  and  handicraftsmen  of  strong 
and  manly  arts;  as  smiths,  masons,  carpenters,  etc.,  ni>t 
reckoning  professed  soldiers. 

But,  above  all,  for  empire  and  greatness,  it  importeth 
most,  that  a  nation  do  profess  arms  as  their  principal 
honor,  study,  and  occupation;  for  the  things  which  we 
formerly  have  spoken  of  are  but  habilitations  *  towards 
arms;  and  what  is  habilitation  without  intention  and 
act?  Romulus,  after  his  death  (as  they  report  or  feign), 
sent  a  present  to  the  Romans,  that  above  all  they  should 
intend  f  arms,  and  then  they  should  prove  the  greatest 
empire  of  the  world.  The  fabric  of  the  state  of  Sparta 
was  wholl}'  (though  not  wisely)  framed  and  composed 
to  that  scope  and  end;  the  Persians  and  Macedonians 
had  it  for  a  flash;  X  the  Gauls,  Germans,  Goths,  Saxons, 
Normans,  and  others,  had  it  for  a  time:  the  Turks 
have  it  at  this  daj',  though  in  great  declination.  Of 
Christian  Europe,  they  that  have  it  are  in  effect  only 
the  Spaniards:  but  it  is  so  plain,  that  every  man  prof- 
iteth  in  that  he  most  intendeth,  that  it  needeth  not  to  be 
stood  upon:  it  is  enough  to  point  at  it;  that  no  nation 
which  doth  not  directly  profess  arms,  may  look  to  have 
greatness  fall  into  their  mouths;  and,  on  the  other  side, 


*  Qualifications.  t  Attend  ta 

t  For  a  short  or  transitory  period. 


116  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

it  i3  a  most  certain  oracle  of  time,  tliat  tliose  states  that 
continue  long  in  that  profession  (as  tbe  Romans  and 
Turks  principally  have  done)  do  wonders;  and  those 
thai  liave  professed  arms  but  for  an  age  have,  notwith- 
standing, commonly  attained  that  greatness  in  that  age 
which  maintained  them  long  after,  when  their  profes- 
sion and  exercise  of  arms  had  grown  to  decay. 

Incident  to  this  point  is,  for  a  state  to  have  those  laws 
or  customs  vvliich  may  reach  forth  unto  them  just  occa- 
sions (as  may  be  pretended)  of  war;  for  there  is  that 
justice  imprinted  in  the  nature  of  men,  that  they  enter 
not  upon  wars  (whereof  so  many  calamities  do  ensue), 
but  upon  some,  at  the  least  specious  grounds  and  quar- 
rels. The  Turk  hath  at  hand,  for  cause  of  war,  the 
propagiilion  of  his  law  or  sect,  a  quarrel  that  he  may 
always  command.  The  Romans,  though  they  esteemed 
the  extending  the  limits  of  their  empire  to  be  great 
honor  to  their  generals  when  it  was  done,  yet  they  never 
rested  upon  that  alone  to  begin  a  war:  first,  therefore, 
let  nations  that  pretend  to  greatness  have  this,  that  they 
be  sensible  of  wrongs,  cither  upon  borderers,  merchants, 
or  politic  ministers;  and  that  they  sit  not  too  long  upon 
a  provocation:  stcondly,  let  them  be  pressed*  and 
ready  to  give  aids  and  succors  to  their  confederates;  as 
it  ever  was  with  the  Romans;  insomuch,  as  if  the  con- 
federate had  leagues  defensive  with  divers  other  states, 
and,  upon  invasion  oflEered,  did  implore  their  aids  sever- 
ally, yet  the  Romans  would  ever  be  the  foremost,  and 
leave  it  to  none  other  to  have  the  honor.  As  for  the 
wars,  which  were  anciently  made  on  the  behalf  of  a 
kind  of  party  or  tacit  conformity  of  estate,  I  do  not  see 
how  they  may  be  well  justified:  as  when  the  Romans 

♦  Bo  in  a  hurry. 


OF  KINGDOMS  AND  ESTATES.  117 

made  a  war  for  the  liberty  of  Greecia:  or,  when  the  La- 
cediemonians  and  Athenians  made  wars  to  set  up  or  pull 
down  democracies  and  oligarchies:  or  when  wars  were 
made  by  foreigners,  under  the  pretence  of  justice  or 
protection,  to  deliver  the  subjects  of  others  from  tyr- 
anny and  oppression ;  and  the  like.  Let  it  suffice,  that 
no  estate  expect  to  be  great,  that  is  not  awake  upon  any 
just  occasion  of  arming. 

No  body  can  be  heaUhful  without  exercise,  neitlier 
natural  body  nor  politic;  and,  certainly,  to  a  kingdom 
or  estate,  a  just  and  honorable  war  is  the  true  exercise. 
A  civil  war,  indeed,  is  like  the  heat  of  a  fever;  but  a 
foreign  war  is  like  the  heat  of  exercise,  and  servcth  to 
keep  the  body  in  heallli;  for  in  a  slothful  peace,  both 
courages  will  effeminate  and  manners  corrupt:  but  how- 
soever it  be  for  happiness,  without  all  question  for  great- 
ness, it  maketh  to  be  still  for  the  most  part  in  arms- 
and  the  strength  of  a  veteran  army  (though  it  be  acharge- 
able  business),  always  on  foot,  is  that  which  commonly 
giveth  the  law,  or  at  least,  the  reputation  amongst  all 
neighbor  states,  as  may  well  be  seen  in  Spain,*  which 
hath  had,  in  one  part  or  other,  a  veteran  army  almost 
continually,  now  by  the  space  of  six-score  years. 

To  be  master  of  the  sea  is  an  abridgment  of  a 
monarchy.  Cicero,  writing  to  Atticus,  of  Pompey's 
preparation  against  Cajsar,  saith,  "Consilium  Pom- 
peii plane  Themistocleum  est;  putat  enim,  qui  mari 
potitur,  eum  rerum  potiri;"f  and  without  doubt,  Pom- 
pey  had  tired  out  Caesar,    if  upon    vain    confidence 

*  It  was  its,  immense  armaments  that  in  a  great  measure  con- 
sumed tlie  vitals  of  Spain. 

t  "Pompey's  plan  is  clearly  that  of  Theniistocles;  for  he  be- 
liiives  that  whoever  is  master  of  the  sea  wilt  obtain  the  supreme 
power." 


fl8  BACON '8  ESSAYS. 

be  had  not  left  that  way.  We  see  the  great  effects  of 
battles  by  sea:  the  battle  of  Actium  decided  the  em- 
pire of  the  world;  the  battle  of  Lepanto  arrested  the 
greatness  of  the  Turk.  There  be  many  examples  where 
sea  fights  have  been  final  to  the  war:  but  this  is  when 
princes,  or  slates,  have  set  up  their  rest  upon  the  bat- 
tles. But  thus  much  is  certain;  that  he  that  commands 
the  sea  is  at  great  liberty,  and  maj'  take  as  much  and 
as  little  of  the  war  as  he  will;  whereas  those  that  be 
strongest  by  land  are  many  times,  nevertheless,  in  great 
straits.  Surely,  at  this  day,  with  us  of  Europe  the 
vantage  of  strength  at  sea  (which  is  one  of  the  principal 
doweries  of  this  kingdom  of  Great  Britain)  is  great; 
both  because  most  of  the  kingdoms  of  Europe  are  not 
merely  inland,  but  girt  with  the  sea  most  part  of  their 
compass;  and  because  the  wealth  of  both  Indies  seems, 
in  great  part,  but  an  acceseory  to  the  command  of  the 
seas. 

The  wars  of  latter  ages  seem  to  be  made  in  the  dark, 
in  respect  of  the  glory  and  honor  which  reflected  upon 
men  from  the  wars  in  ancient  time.  There  be  now,  for 
martial  encouragement,  some  degrees  and  orders  of 
chivalry,  which,  nevertheless,  are  conferred  promiscu- 
onsl}'  upon  soldiers  and  no  soldiers;  and  some  remem- 
brance perhaps  upon  the  escutcheon,  and  some  hospi- 
tals for  maimed  soldiers,  and  such  like  things;  but  in 
ancient  times,  the  tropliies  erected  upon  the  place  of 
the  victory;  the  funeral  laudatives*  and  monumeuis 
for  those  that  died  in  the  wars;  the  crowns  and  gar- 
lands personal;  the  style  of  emperor  with  the  great 
kings  of  the  world  after  borrowed;  the  triumphs  of  the 
generals  upon  their  return;  the  great  donatives  and 


*  Encomiums. 


OF  REGIMEN  OF  HEALTH.  119 

largesses  upou  the  disbaudhig  of  tlie  armiei?,  were  things 
able  to  iullunie  all  men's  courages;  but  above  all,  that 
of  tlie  triumph  amongst  the  Romans  was  not  pageants, 
or  gaudery,  but  one  of  the  wisest  and  noblest  institu- 
tions that  ever  was:  for  it  contained  three  things; 
honor  to  the  general,  riches  to  the  treasury  out  of  the 
spoils,  and  donatives  to  the  armj' :  but  that  honor,  per- 
hups,  were  not  fit  for  monarchies,  except  it  be  in  the 
person  of  the  monarch  himself,  or  his  sons;  as  it  oune 
to  pass  in  the  times  of  the  lioman  emperors,  who  did 
impropriate  the  actual  triumphs  to  themselves  and  their 
sons,  for  such  wars  as  the}'  did  achieve  in  person,  and 
left  only  for  wars  achieved  by  subjects,  some  triumphal 
garments  and  ensigns  to  the  general. 

To  conclude:  no  man  can  by  care  taking  (as  the 
Scripture  saith),  "add  a  cubit  to  his  stature,"*  in  this 
little  model  of  a  man's  body;  but  in  the  great  frame  of 
kingdoms  and  commonwealths,  it  is  in  the  power  of 
princes,  or  estates,  to  add  amplitude  and  greatness  to 
their  kingdoms;  for  by  introducing  such  ordinances, 
constitutions,  and  customs,  as  we  have  now  touched, 
the}'  may  sow  greatness  to  their  posterity  and  succes- 
sion: but  these  things  are  commonly  not  observed,  but 
left  to  take  their  chance. 


XXX. -OF   REGIMEN  OF  HEALTH. 

There  is  a  wisdom  in  this  Iwjyond  the  rules  of 
physic:  a  man's  own  observation,  what  he  finds  good 
of,  and  what  he  finds  hurt  of,  is  the  best  physic  to  pre- 
serve health;  but  it  is  a  safer  conclusion  to  say,  "This 
ngreeth  not  well  with  me,  therefore  I  will  not  continue 

♦  St.  Matthew  vi.  27;  St.  Luke  xii.  25. 


120  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

it;"  than  this,  "I  find  no  offence  of  this,  therefore  I 
may  use  it:"  for  strength  of  nature  in  youth  passeth 
over  many  excesses  whicli  are  owing*  a  man  till  his 
age.  Discern  of  the  coming  on  of  years,  and  think  not 
to  do  the  same  things  still;  for  age  will  not  be  defied. 
Beware  of  sudden  change  in  any  great  point  of  diet, 
and,  if  necessity  enforce  it,  fit  the  rest  to  it;  for  it  is  a 
secret  both  in  nature  and  state,  that  it  is  safer  to  change 
many  things  than  one.  Examine  thy  customs  of  diet, 
sleep,  exercise,  apparel,  and  (he  like;  and  try,  in  any- 
thing thou  shalt  judge  hurtful  to  discontinue  it  by  little 
and  little;  but  so,  as  if  thou  dost  find  any  inconven- 
ience by  the  change,  thou  come  hack  to  it  again :  for  it 
is  hard  to  distinguish  that  which  is  generally  held  good 
and  wholesome  from  that  which  is  good  particularly, f 
and  fit  for  thine  own  body.  To  be  free-minded  and 
cheerfully  disposed  at  hours  of  meat,  and  of  sleep,  and 
of  exercise,  is  one  of  the  best  precepts  of  long  lasting. 
As  for  the  passions  and  studies  of  the  mind,  avoid  envy, 
anxious  fears,  anger  fretting  inwards,  subtle  and  knotty 
inquisitions,  joys,  and  exhilarations  in  excess,  sadness 
not  communicated.  Entertain  hopes,  mirth  rather 
than  joy,  variety  of  delights,  rather  than  surfeit  of 
them;  wonder  and  admiration,  and  therefore  novelties; 
studies  that  fill  the  mind  with  splendid  and  illustrious 
objects;  as  histories,  fables,  and  contemplations  of 
nature.  If  you  fly  physic  in  health  altogether,  it  will  be 
too  strange  for  your  body  when  you.  shall  need  it;  if 
you  make  it  too  familiar,  it  will  work  no  extraordinary 
effect  when  sickness  cometh.  I  command  rather  some 
diet,  for  certain  seasons,  than  frequent  use  of  physic, 


*  The  effects  of  which  must  be  felt  in  old  age. 
+  Of  benefit  in  your  individual  case. 


OF  SUSPICION.  131 

except  it  be  grown  into  a  custom;  for  tliose  diets  alter 
tlie  body  more,  and  trouble  it  less.  Despise  no  new  ac- 
cident* in  your  body,  but  ask  opinionf  of  it.  In  sick- 
ness, respect  heallh  principally;  and  in  health,  action: 
for  those  that  put  their  bodies  to  endure  in  health,  may, 
in  most  sicknesses  which  are  not  very  sharp,  be  cured 
only  with  diet  and  tendering.  Celsus  could  never  have 
spoken  it  as  a  physician,  bad  he  not  been  a  wise  man 
withal,  when  he  giveth  it  for  one  of  the  great  precepts 
of  health  and  lasting,  that  a  man  do  var^'  and  inter- 
change contraries,  but  with  an  inclination  to  the  more 
benign  extreme:  use  fasting  and  full  eating,  but  rather 
full  eating;  $  watching  and  sleep,  but  rather  sleep;  sit- 
ting and  exercise,  but  rather  exercise,  and  the  like:  so 
shall  nature  be  cherished,  and  yet  taught  masteries. 
Physicians  are  some  of  them  so  pleasing  and  comforni- 
al>le  to  the  humor  of  the  patient,  as  they  press  not  the 
true  cure  of  the  disease;  and  some  other  are  so  regular 
in  proceeding  according  to  art  not  for  the  disease,  as  they 
respect  not  sufficiently  the  condition  of  the  patient. 
Take  one  of  a  middle  temper;  or,  if  it  may  not  be 
found  in  one  man,  combine  two  of  either  sort;  and  for- 
get not  to  call  as  well  the  best  acquainted  with  your 
body,  as  the  best  reputed  of  for  his  faculty. 


XXXI.— OF  SUSPICION. 

SuBPicioNS  amongst  thoughts  are  like  bats  amongst 
birds,  they  ever  fly  by  twilight:  certainly  they  are  to  be 
repressed,  or  at  the  least  well  guarded ;  for  they  cloud 

*  Any  striking  change  m  the  constitution. 

+  Take  medical  advice. 

X  Incline  rather  to  fully  satisfying  your  hunger. 


132  BAC02f'S  ii'^-y^r-s. 

the  mind,  they  lose  friends,  :ind  Ihey  check  with  busi- 
ness, whereby  business  cannot  go  ou  currently  and  con- 
stiintly:  they  dispose  kings  to  tyranny,  husbands  1o 
jealousy,  wise  men  to  irresolution  and  melancholy: 
they  are  defects,  not  in  the  heart,  but  in  the  brain ;  for 
they  take  place  in  the  stoutest  natures,  as  in  the  exam- 
ple of  Henry  VII.  of  England;  there  was  not  a  more 
suspicious  man  nor  a  more  stout:  and  in  such  a  compo- 
sition they  do  small  hurt;  for  commonly  the}' are  not 
admitted,  but  with  examination,  whether  they  be  likely 
or  no;  but  in  fearful  natures  they  gain  ground  too  fast. 
There  is  nothing  makes  a  man  suspect  much  more  than 
to  know  little;  and  therefore  men  should  remedy  sus- 
picion by  procuring  to  know  more,  and  not  to  keep 
their  suspicions  in  smother.  "What  would  men  have? 
Do  they  think  those  they  employ  and  deal  with  are 
saints?  Do  thej'  not  think  they  will  have  their  own 
ends,  and  be  truer  to  themselves  than  to  them?  There- 
fore there  is  no  better  way  to  moderate  suspicions,  than 
to  account  upon  such  suspicions  as  true,  and  yet  to 
bridle  them  as  false :  *  for  so  far  a  mjxn  ought  to  make 
use  of  suspicions,  as  to  provide,  as  if  that  should  be 
true  that  he  suspects,  yet  it  may  do  him  no  hurt.  Sus- 
picions that  the  mind  of  itself  gathers  are  but  buzzes; 
but  suspicions  that  are  artificially  nourished,  and  put 
into  men's  heads  by  Ihe  tales  and  whisperings  of  others, 
have  stings.  Certainly,  the  best  mean,  to  clear  the 
way  in  this  same  wood  of  suspicions,  is  frankly  to  com- 
municate them  with  the  party  that  he  suspects;  for 
thereby  he  shall  be  sure  to  know  more  of  the  truth  of 
them  than  he  did  before;  and  withal  shall  make  that 
party  more  circumspect,  not  to  give  further  cause  of 


♦  To  hope  the  best,  but  be  fully  prepared  for  the  worst. 


OF  DISCOURSE.  128 

suspicion.  But  this  -would  not  be  done  to  men  of  base 
natures;  for  they,  if  tliey  find  themselves  once  sus- 
pected, will  never  be  true.  The  Italian  says,  "Sos- 
petto  licentia  fede;"*  as  if  suspicion  did  give  a  p;issport 
to  faith;  but  it  ought  rather  to  kindle  it  to  discharge 
itself. 

XXXII.— OF  DISCOURSE. 

Some  in  their  discourse  desire  rather  coramenda- 
(ion  of  wit,  in  being  able  to  hold  all  arguments,! 
than  of  judgment,  in  discerning  what  is  true;  as  if 
it  were  a  praise  to  know  what  might  be  said,  and 
not  what  should  be  thought.  Some  have  certain 
common-places  and  themes,  wherein  they  are  good, 
and  want  variety;  which  kind  of  poverty  is  for  the  most 
part  tedious,  and,  when  it  is  once  perceived,  ridiculous. 
The  honorablest  part  of  talk  is  to  give  the  occasion  ;|: 
and  again  to  moderate  and  pass  to  somewhat  else;  for 
then  a  man  leads  the  dance.  It  is  good  in  discourse, 
and  speech  of  conversation,  to  vai-y,  and  intermingle 
speech  of  the  present  occasion  with  arguments,  tales 
with  reasons,  askingof  questions  with  telling  of  opinions, 
and  jest  with  earnest;  for  it  is  a  dull  Ihiug  to  tire,  and 
as  we  say  now,  to  jade  anything  too  far.  As  for  jest, 
there  be  certain  things  which  ought  to  be  privileged 
from  it;  namely,  religion,  matters  of  state,  great  per- 
sons, any  man's  present  business  of  importance,  and 
any  case  that  deserveth  pity;  yet  there  be  some  that 
think  their  wits  have  been  asleep,  except  they  dart  out 


*  Suspicion  is  the  passport  to  faith. 

t  A  censure  of  this  nature  has  been  applied  by  some  to  Dr. 
Johnson,  and  possibly  with  some  reason. 
X  To  start  the  subject. 


124  BACON'S  ESSAYS.    . 

somewhat  that  is  piquant,  and  to  the  quick;  that  is  a 
vein  whicli  would  be  bridled ;  * 

"  Parce,  puer,  stimulis,  et  fortius  utere  loris."  t 

And  generally,  men  ought  to  find  the  difference  between 
Baltness  and  bitterness.  Certainly  he  that  hath  a  satiri- 
cal vein,  as  he  maketh  others  afraid  of  his  wit,  so  he  had 
need  be  afraid  of  others'  memory.  He  that  questioneth 
much,  shall  learn  much,  and  content  much;  but  es- 
pecially if  he  apply  his  questions  to  the  skill  of  the  per- 
sons whom  he  asketh;  for  he  shall  give  them  occasion 
to  please  themselves  in  speaking,  and  himself  shall  con- 
tinually gather  knowledge:  but  let  his  questions  not  be 
troublesome,  for  that  is  fit  for  a  poser;  X  and  let  him  be 
sure  to  leave  other  men  their  turn  to  speak :  nay  if  there 
be  any  that  would  reign  and  take  up  all  the  time,  let  him 
find  means  to  take  them  off,  and  to  bring  others  on,  as 
musicians  used  to  do  with  those  that  dance  too  long 
galliards.§  If  you  dissemble  sometimes  your  knowledge 
of  that  you  are  thought  to  know,  you  shall  be  thought 
at  another  time,  to  know  that  you  know  not.  Speech 
of  a  man's  self  ought  to  be  seldom,  and  well  chosen.  I 
knew  one  was  wont  to  say  in  scorn,  "  He  must  needs  be 
a  wise  man,  he  speaks  so  much  of  himself,"  and  there 
is  but  one  case  wherein  a  man  may  commend  himself 
with  good  grace  and  that  is  in  commending  virtue  in 
another,  especially  if  it  be  such  a  virtue  whereunto  him- 


*  Requires  to  be  bridled. 

t  He  quotes  here  from  Ovid:  "  Boy,  spare  the  whip,  and  tight- 
ly grrasp  the  reins." 

X  One  who  tests  or  examines. 

§  The  Galliard  was  a  light  active  dance  much  in  fashion  in  the 
time  of  Queen  Elizabeth. 


OF  PLANTATIONS.  123 

self  pretendeth.  Speech  of  touch  *  towards  others  should 
be  sparingly  used;  for  dl.scourse  ought  to  be  as  a  field, 
without  coming  home  to  any  man.  1  kuew  two  noble- 
men of  the  west  part  of  England,  whereof  the  one  was 
given  to  scoflf,  but  kept  ever  royal  cheer  in  his  house; 
the  one  would  ask  of  those  who  had  been  at  the  other's 
table,  "  Tell  truly,  was  there  never  a  flout  f  or  dry  blow  :|: 
given?  To  which  the  guest  would  answer,  "  Such  and 
such  a  thing  passed."  The  lord  would  say,  "  I  thought 
he  would  mar  a  good  dinner."  Discretion  of  speech  is 
more  than  eloquence;  and  to  speak  agreeably  to  him 
with  whom  we  deal,  is  more  than  to  speak  in  good 
words,  or  in  good  order.  A  good  continued  speech 
without  a  good  speech  of  interlocution,  shows  slowness; 
and  a  good  reply,  or  second  speech,  without  a  good  set- 
tled speech,  sliowcth  shallowness  and  weakness.  As  we 
see  in  beasts  that  those  that  are  weakest  in  the  course, 
are  yet  nimblest  in  the  turn;  as  it  is  betwixt  the  grey- 
hound and  the  hare.  To  use  too  manj^  circumstances, 
ere  one  come  to  the  matter,  is  wearisome;  to  use  none 
at  all  is  blunt. 

XXXIII.— OF   PLANTATIONS.^ 

Plant.\tions  are  amongst  ancient,  primitive,  and 
hcroical  works.  When  the  world  was  young,  it  begat 
more  children ;  but  now  it  is  old,  it  begets  fewer,  for  I 
may  justly  account  new  plantations  to  be  the  children 
of  former  kingdoms.  I  like  a  plantation  in  a  pure  soil ; 
that  is,  where  people  are  not  displanted,||  to  the  end  to 

'''  Hits  at,  or  remarks  intended  to  be  applied  to  particular  indi- 
viduals, 
t  A  slight  or  insult.  X  A  sarcastic  remark. 

%  The  olil  term  for  colonies. 
I  He  pcriiaps  alludes  covertly  to  the  conduct  of  the  Spaniards 


126  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

plant  in  others;  for  else  it  is  rather  an  extirpation  thao 
a  plantation.  Planting  of  countries  is  like  planliug  of 
woods;  for  you  must  make  account  to  lose  almost 
twenty  years'  profit,  and  expect  your  recompense  in  the 
end:  for  the  principal  thing  that  hath  been  the  destruc- 
tion of  most  plantations,  has  been  the  base  and  hasty 
drawing  of  profit  in  the  first  years.  It  is  true,  speedy 
profit  is  not  to  be  neglected,  as  far  as  may  stand  witli 
the  good  of  the  plantation,  but  no  farther.  It  is  a 
shameful  and  unblessed  thing  *  to  take  the  scuin  of  people 
and  wicked  condemned  men,  to  be  the  people  with 
whom  you  plant;  and  not  only  so,  but  it  spoileth  the 
plantation;  for  they  will  ever  live  like  rogues,  and  not 
fall  to  work,  but  be  lazy,  and  do  mischief,  and  spend 
victuals,  and  be  quickly  weary,  and  then  certify  over  to 
1  heir  country  to  the  discredit  of  the  plantation.  The  peo- 
]ile  wherewith  you  plant  ought  to  be  gardeners,  plough- 
men, laborers,  smiths,  carpenters,  joiners,  fisherman, 
fowlers,  with  some  few  apothecaries,  surgeons,  cooks  and 
bnkers.  In  a  countrj'  of  plantation  first  look  about  what 
kind  of  victual  tlie  country  yields  of  itself  to  band:  as 
ciiestnuts,  walnuts,  pine-apples,  olives,  dates,  plums, 
cherries,  wild  honey,  and  the  like;  and  make  use  of 
them.  Then  consider  what  victual,  or  esculent  things 
there  are,  which  grow  speedily,  and  within  the  year;  as 
])arsnips,  carrots,  turnips,  onions,  radish,  artichokes  of 
Jerusalem,  maize  and  the  like:  for  wheat,  barley,  and 
(.)ats,  they  ask  too  much  labor;  but  with  peas  and  beans 

extirpating  aboriginal  inhabitants  of  the  WeRt  India  Islands, 
against  which  the  venerable  Las  Casas  so  eloquently  but  vainly 
protested. 

*  Of  course  this  censure  would  not  apply  to  what  is  primarily 
and  essentially  a  convict  colony:  the  object  of  which  is  to  drain 
the  mother  counti-y  of  its  impure  superfluities. 


OF  PLANTATIONS.  127 

you  may  begin,  both  because  they  ask  less  labor,  auil 
because  they  serve  for  meat  as  well  as  for  bread;  ami  of 
rice  likewise  cometh  a  great  iucreasc,  and  it  is  a  kind  of 
meat.  Above  all,  there  ought  to  be  brought  store  of 
biscuit,  oatmeal,  flour,  meal,  and  the  like,  in  the  begin- 
ning, till  bread  may  be  had.  For  beasts,  or  birds,  take 
chiefly  such  as  are  least  subject  to  diseases  and  multiply 
fastest;  as  swine,  goals,  cocks,  hens,  turkeys,  geese, 
house-doves,  and  the  like.  The  victual  .in  plantation 
ought  to  be  expended  almost  :is  in  a  besieged  town;  that 
is  with  certain  allowance:  and  let  the  main  part  of  the 
ground  employed  to  gardens  or  corn,  be  to  a  common 
stock;  and  to  be  laid  in,  and  sfored  up,  and  then  de- 
livered out  in  proportion;  besides  some  spots  of  ground 
that  any  particular  person  will  manure  for  his  own 
private  use.  Consider,  likewise,  what  commodities  the 
soil  where  the  plantation  is  doth  naturally  yield,  that 
they  may  some  way  help  to  defray  the  charge  of  the 
plantation;  so  it  be  not,  as  was  said,  to  the  untimely 
prejudice  of  the  main  business,  as  it  hath  fared  with 
tobacco  in  Virginia.*  Wood  commonly  aboundeth  but 
too  much;  and  therefore  timber  is  fit  to  be  one.  If 
there  be  iron  ore,  and  streams  whereupon  to  set  the 
mills,  iron  is  a  brave  commodity  where  wootl  aboundeth. 
Making  of  bay-salt,  if  the  climate  be  proper  for  it, 
would  be  put  in  experience:  growing  silk,  likewise,  if 
any  be,  is  a  likely  commodity:  pitch  and  tar,  where  store 
of  firs  and  pines  are  will  not  fail;  so  drugs  and  sweet 
woods,  where  they  are,  cannot  but  yield  great  profit: 
soap-ashes,  likewise,  and  other  things  that  may  be 
thought  of;  but  moil  f  not  too  much  under  ground,  for 

♦  Times  have  much  changed  since  this  was  pemied:  tobacco 
is  now  the  tstaple  commodity,  and  the  source  of  "  The  main  busi- 
ness'" of  Virginia.  t  To  labor  hard. 


128  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

the  hope  of  mines  is  very  uncertain,  and  useth  to  make 
the  planters  lazy  in  other  things.  For  government,  let 
it  be  in  the  hands  of  one,  assisted  with  some  counsel ; 
and  let  tiiem  have  commission  to  exercise  martial  laws, 
with  some  limitation;  and  above  all,  let  men  make  that 
profit  of  being  in  the  wilderness,  as  they  have  God  al- 
ways and  his  service  before  their  ej'es:  let  not  the  gov- 
ernment of  tiie  plantation  depend  upon  too  many  coun- 
sellors and  undertakers  in  the  country  that  plantelh,  but 
upon  a  temperate  number:  and  let  those  be  rather  noble- 
men and  gentlemen,  than  merchants;  for  they  look  ever 
to  the  present  gain.  Let  there  be  freedoms  from  cus- 
tom, till  the  plantation  be  of  strength:  and  not  only 
freedom  from  custom,  but  freedom  to  carry  their  com- 
modities where  they  make  their  best  of  them  except 
there  be  some  special  cause  of  caution.  Cram  not  in 
people,  by  sending  too  fast  company  after  company; 
but  rather  hearken  how  they  waste,  and  send  sup- 
plies proportionably ;  but  so  as  the  number  may 
live  w'Jl  in  the  plantation,  and  not  by  surcharge  be 
in  penury.  It  hath  been  a  great  endangering  to  the 
health  of  some  plantations,  that  they  have  built 
along  the  sea  and  rivere,  in  marish  *  and  unwhole- 
some grounds:  therefore  though  j^ou  begin  there, 
to  avoid  carriage  and  other  like  discommodities,  yet 
built  still  rather  upwards  from  the  streams,  than  along. 
It  concerneth  likewise  the  health  of  the  plantation,  that 
they  have  good  store  of  salt  with  them,  that  they  may  use 
it  in  their  victuals  when  it  shall  be  necessary.  If  you 
phxnt  where  savages  are,  do  not  only  entertain  them 
with  trifles  and  giugle8,t  but  use  them  justly  and  gra- 


*  Mai-sViy;  from  the  French  murais,  a  marsh, 
t  Gewgaws,  or  spangles. 


OF  RWUES.  129 

ciouslj',  •with  sufficient  guard  neveitlielcss;  and  do  not 
will  their  favor  by  helping  tliein  to  invade  their  enemies, 
l>ut  for  tlieir  defense  it  is  not  amiss;  and  send  oft  of 
them  over  to  the  country  tliat  plants,  that  they  m<iy  see 
a  better  condition  tiian  their  own,  and  commend  it  when 
tliey  return.  When  the  plantation  grows  to  strength, 
ithen  it  is  time  to  plant  with  women  as  well  as  with 
men ;  that  the  plantation  may  spread  into  generations, 
and  not  be  ever  pieced  from'  without.  It  is  the  sin- 
fullest  thing  in  the  world  to  forsake  or  destitute  a  plan 
tation  once  in  forwardness;  for,  besides  the  dishonor, 
it  is  the  guiltiness  of  blood  of  many  commiserable 
persons. 

XXXIV.— OF  RICHES. 

I  CANNOT  call  riches  better  than  the  baggage  of  vir- 
tue; the  Roman  woi-d  is  better,  "  im]>edimenta;"  for  as 
the  baggage  is  to  an  army,  so  is  riches  to  virtue;  it  can- 
not be  spared  nor  left  behind,  but  it  hindercth  the 
march ;  yea,  and  the  care  of  it  sometimes  loseth  or  dis- 
turbeth  the  victory:  of  great  riches  there  is  no  real  use, 
except  it  be  in  the  distribution;  the  rest  is  but  conceit; 
so  saith  Solomon,  "Where  much  is,  there  arc  many  to 
consume  it;  and  what  hath  the  owner  but  the  sight  of  it 
witli  his  eyes?"*  The  personal  fruition  in  any  man  can- 
not reach  to  feel  great  riches:  there  is  a  custody  of 
them;  or  a  power  of  dole  and  donative  of  them;  or  a 
fame  of  them;  but  no  solid  use  to  the  owner.  Do  you 
not  see  what  feigned  prices  are  set  tipon  little  stones 
and  rarities?  and  what  works  of  ostentation  are  nnder- 


*  He  alludw?  to  Etvlcsiastes  v.  II.  the  words  of  which  are 
soniewliat  varied  in  our  version  :  "  When  Roods  increase,  they 
are  increa.sed  that  eat  them  ;  and  what  pood  is  there  to  the 
owners  tliereof,  saving  the  beholding  of  them  with  thcfr  eyes?" 


130  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

taken,  because  there  might  seem  to  be  some  use  of  great 
riches?  But  then  you  will  say,  they  may  be  of  use  to 
buy  men  out  of  dangers  or  troubles;  as  Solomon  saith, 
"Riches  are  as  a  strong  hold  in  the  imagination  of  the 
rich  man;"*  but  this  is  excellently  expressed,  that  it  is 
in  imagination,  and  not  always  in  fact:  for,  certainly, 
great  riches  have  sold  more  men  than  they  have  bought 
out.  Seek  not  proud  riches,  but  such  as  thou  mayest 
get  justly,  use  soberly,  distribute  cheerfully,  and  leave 
contentedly;  j'et  have  no  abstract  nor  friarly  contempt 
of  them;  but  distinguish,  as  Cicero  saith  well  of  Rabi- 
rius  Posthumus,  "In  studio  rei  amplificandae -appare- 
bat,  non  avaritise  praedara,  sed  instrumentum  bonitati 
qu8eri."f  Hearken  also  to  Solomon,  and  beware  of 
hasty  gathering  of  riches:  "Qui  festinat  ad  divitias, 
non  erit  insous."'}:  Tlie  poets  feign,  that  when  Plutus 
(which  is  riches)  is  sent  from  Jupiter,  he  limps,  and 
goes  slowly;  but  when  he  is  sent  from  Pluto,  he  runs, 
and  is  swift  of  foot;  meaning,  that  riches  gotten  by  good 
means  and  just  labor  pace  slowly;  but  when  they  come 
by  the  death  of  others  §  (as  by  the  course  of  inheritance, 
testaments,  and  the  like),  they  come  tumbling  upon  a 
man:  but  it  might  be  applied  likewise  to  Pluto,  taking 
him  for  the  devil:  for  when  riches  come  from  the  devil 
(as  by  fraud  and  oppression,  and  unjust  means),  they 

*  "The  rich  man's  wealth  is  his  strong  city."— Prov.  x.  15; 
srviii.  11. 

t  "  In  his  anxiety  to  increase  his  fortune,  it  was  evident  thai 
not  the  gratification  of  avarice  was  sought,  but  tbe  means  of 
doing  good." 

$  "  He  who  hastens  to  riches  will  not  be  without  guilt."  In  our 
version  the  words  are :  "  He  that  maketh  ^aste  to  be  rich  shall 
not  be  innocent." — Proverbs  xxviii.  22. 

S  Pluto  being  the  king  of  the  Infernal  regions,  or  place  (/  ■^ 
parted  spirits. 


OF  RICHES.  131 

come  upon  speed.  The  ways  to  enrich  are  many,  and 
most  of  them  foul :  parsimony  is  one  of  the  best;  and 
yet  is  not  inuocent;  for  it  williholdetli  men  from  works 
of  liberality  and  charity.  The  improvement  of  the 
ground  is  the  most  natural  obtaining  of  riches;  for  it 
is  our  great  mother's  blessing,  the  earth's;  but  it  is  slow; 
and  yet,  where  men  of  great  wealth  do  stoop  to  hus- 
bandry, it  multiplieth  riches  exceedingly.  I  knew  a 
nobleman  in  England  that  had  the  greatest  audits*  of 
any  man  in  my  time,  a  great  grazer,  a  great  she«p-mas- 
ter,  a  great  timber-man,  a  great  collier,  a  great  corn- 
master,  a  great  lead-mau,  and  so  of  iron,  and  a  number 
of  the  like  points  of  husbandry;  so  as  the  earth  seemed 
a  sea  to  him  in  respect  of  the  perpetual  importation.  It 
■?7as  truly  observed  by  one,  "That  himself  came  very 
jiardiy  to  a  little  riches,  and  very  easily  to  great  riches;" 
for  when  a  man's  stock  is  come  to  that,  that  he  can  ex- 
pect the  prime  of  markets,f  and  overcome  those  bar- 
gains, which  for  their  greatness  are  few  men's  money, 
and  be  partner  in  the  industries  of  younger  men,  he  can- 
not but  increase  mainly.  The  gains  of  ordinary  trades 
and  vocations  are  honest,  and  furthered  by  two  things, 
chiefly:  by  diligence,  and  by  a  good  name  for  good  and 
fair  dealing;  but  the  gains  of  bargains  are  of  a  more 
doubtful  nature,  when  men  shall  wait  upon  others'  nec- 
essity: broke  by  servants  and  instruments  to  draw  tiiem 
on  put  off  others  cunningly  that  would  be  better  chap- 
men, and  the  like  practices,  which  are  crafty  and  naught; 
as  for  the  chopping  of  bargains,  when  a  man  buys  not 
to  hold,  but  to  sell  over  again,  that  commonly  grindeth 
double,  both  upon  the  seller  and  upon  the  buyer.   Bhar- 


*  Rent-roll,  or  account  taken  of  Income, 
t  Wait  till  prices  b  -«  r-'^ai. 


133  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

ings  do  greatly  enrich,  if  the  hands  be  well  chosen  that 
are  trusted.  Usury  is  the  certainest  means  of  gain, 
though  one  of  tlie  worst;  as  that  whereby  a  man  doth 
eat  his  bread,  "in  sudore  vultus  alieni;"*  and  besides, 
doth  plough  upon  Sundays:  but  yet  certain  though  it 
be,  it  liath  flaws;  for  that  the  scriveners  and  brokers  do 
value  unsound  men  to  serve  their  own  turn.  The  for- 
tune, in  being  the  first  in  an  invention,  or  in  a  privilege, 
doth  cause  sometimes  a  wonderful  overgrowth  in  riches, 
as  it  was  with  the  first  sugarman  f  m  the  Canaries:  there- 
fore if  a  man  can  play  the  true  logician,  to  have  as  well 
judgment  as  invention,  he  may  do  great  matters,  espe- 
cially if  the  times  be  fit:  he  that  resteth  upon  gains  cer- 
tain, shall  hardly  gi'ow  to  great  riches;  and  he  that  puts 
all  upon  adventures,  doth  oftentimes  break  and  come  to 
poverty:  it  is  good,  therefore,  to  guard  adventures  with 
certainties  that  may  uphold  losses.  Monopolies,  and  co- 
emption of  wares  for  resale,  where  they  are  not  re- 
strained, are  great  means  to  enrich;  especially  if  the 
party  have  intelligence  what  things  are  like  to  come 
into  request,  and  so,  store  himself  beforehand.  Riches 
gotten  by  service  though  it  be  of  the  best  rise,  yet  when 
they  are  gotten  by  flattery,  feeding  humors,  and  other 
servile  conditions,  they  may  be  placed  amongst  the 
worst.  As  for  fishing  for  testaments  and  executorships 
(as  Tacitus  saith  of  Seneca,  "Testamenta  et  orbos  tan- 
qiiara  indagine  csipi"),^  it  is  yet  worse,  by  how  much 
men  submit  themselves  to  meaner  persons  than  in  ser- 

*  "In  the  sweat  of  another's  brow."  He  alludes  to  the  words 
of  Genesis  iii.  19:  "In  the  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  tliou  eat 
bread." 

+  Planters  of  sugar-canes. 

t  "Wills  and  childless  persons  were  caught  by  him  as  thousch 
with  a  hunting-net." 


OF  PROPHECIES.  123 

vice.  Believe  not  luucli  them  lluit  seem  to  (lespibe  riches, 
for  they  despise  them  that  despair  of  them;  uud  noue 
worse  when  they  come  to  them.  Be  not  peuuywisc; 
riclies  have  wings,  aud  sometimes  they  fly  away  of 
tliemselves,  sometimes  they  must  be  set  flyiug  to  bring 
in  more.  Men  leave  their  riches  either  to  their  kindred 
or  to  tlie  public;  and  moderate  portions  prosper  best  in 
both.  A  great  state  left  to  an  heir,  is  as  a  lure  to  all  tho 
birds  of  prey  round  about  to  seize  ou  him,  if  he  be  not 
Il»e  better  established  iu  years  and  judgment:  likewise, 
glorious  gifts  aud  foundations  are  like  sacrifices  with- 
out salt;  aud  but  the  painted  sepulchres  of  alms,  which 
soon  will  putrefy  and  corrupt  inwardly:  therefore  meas- 
ure not  thine  advancements  by  quantity,  but  frame  them 
by  measure:  aud  defer  not  charities  till  death;  for,  cer- 
tainly, if  a  man  weigh  it  rightly,  he  that  doth  so  is 
rather  liberal  of  another  man's  than  of  his  own. 

XXXV.— OP  PROPHECIES. 

I  MEAN  not  to  8i>eak  of  divine  prophecies,  nor  of 
heathen  oracles,  nor  of  natural  predictions;  but  only  of 
prophecies  that  have  been  of  certain  memory,  and  from 
liiddeu  causes.  Saith  the  Pythouissa*  to  Saul,  "To- 
morrow thou  and  thy  sons  shall  be  with  me."  Virgil 
hath  these  verses  from  Homer: 

"  Uic  (lomus  JEnea?  cunctis  dominabitur  oris, 
Et  nati  natorum,  et  qui  fiascentur  ab  illis."  t 

*  "Pythoness,"  used  in  the  sense  of  witch.  He  alludes  to  tho 
witch  of  Endor.  and  the  words  iu  Samuel  xxviii.  19.  He  is,  how- 
ever, mistaken  in  attributing  these  words  to  the  witch;  it  was  tho 
spirit  of  Samuel  that  said,  "  To-morrow  slialt  thou  and  thy  sous 
be  with  me." 

+  "  But  the  house  of  .^neas  shall  reign  over  every  shore,  botli 
his  children's  children,  and  those  who  shall  spring  from  them." 


/34  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

A  propbecy,  as  it  seems,  of  the  Roman  empire.     Senecs 
the  tragedian  bath  these  verses: 

" ^Venient  annis 


Ssecula  seris,  quibus  Oceanus 
Vincula  rerum  laxet,  et  ingens 
Pateat  Tellus,  Tiphysque  novos 
Detegat  orbes;  nee  sit  terns 
Ultima  Thule:"  * 

a  prophecy  of  the  discovery  of  America.  The  daughtei 
of  Polycrates  f  dreamed  that  Jupiter  bathed  lier  father, 
and  Apollo  anointed  him;  and  it  came  to  pass  that  be 
was  crucified  in  an  open  place,  where  the  sun  made  his 
hody  run  with  sweat;  and  the  rain  washed  it.  Philip 
of  ^[acedon  dreamed  be  sealed  up  bis  wife's  belly; 
whereby  be  did  expound  it,  that  bis  wife  should  be 
barren;  but  Aristander  the  soothsayer  told  him  bis 
wife  was  with  child,  because  men  do  not  use  to  seal 
vessels  that  are  empty.  A  phantasm  that  appeared  to 
M.  Brutus  in  bis  tent,  said  to  him,  "  Philippis  iterum 
me  videbis."  X  Tiberius  said  to  Galba,  "  Tu  quoque, 
Galba,  degustabis  iniperium."§  In  Vespasian's  time 
there  went  a  prophecy  in  the  East  that  those  that  should 
come  forth  of  Judca,  should  reign  over  the  world; 
which  though  it  may  be  was  meant  of  our  Saviour,  yet 


*  "  After  the  lapse  of  years,  ages  will  come  in  which  Ocean 
Bhall  relax  his  chains  around  the  world,  and  a  vast  continent 
shall  appear,  and  Tiphys  shall  explore  new  regions,  and  Thule 
shall  be  no  longer  the  utmost  verge  of  earth." 

t  He  was  king  of  Samos,  and  was  treacherously  put  to  death 
by  Oroetes,  the  governor  of  Magnesia,  in  Asia  Minor.  His 
daughter  in  consequence  of  her  dream,  attempted  to  dissuade 
him  from  visiting  Orcetes,  but  in  vain. 

t  "  Thou  Shalt  see  me  again  at  Philippi." 

§  "  Thou  also,  Oallia.  shall  taste  of  empire." 


OF  PltOPUEVIES.  135 

Tacitus  expounds  it  of  Vespasian.  Domitian  dreamed, 
the  night  before  he  was  slain,  that  a  golden  head  was 
growing  out  of  the  nape  of  his  neck;  and  indeed  the 
succession  that  followed  him,  for  many  years  made 
golden  times.  Henry  the  Sixth  of  Enghind  said  of 
Henry  the  Seventli,  when  he  was  a  lad,  and  gave  him 
water,  "  This  is  the  lad  that  shall  enjoy  the  crown  for 
which  we  strive."  When  I  was  in  France,  I  heard  from 
one  Dr.  Pena,  that  the  queen  mother,*  who  was  givea 
to  curious  arts,  caused  the  king  her  husband's  nativity 
to  be  calculated  under  a  false  name;  and  the  astrologer 
gave  a  judgment,  that  he  should  be  killed  in  a  duel;  at 
which  the  queen  laughed,  thinking  her  husband  to  be 
above  challenges  and  duels;  but  he  was  slain  upon  a 
course  at  tilt,  the  splinters  of  the  staff  of  Montgomery 
going  in  at  his  beaver.  The  trivial  prophecy  which  I 
heard  when  I  was  a  child,  and  Queen  Elizabeth  was  in 
the  flower  of  her  years,  was, 

"  When  hempe  is  spunne 
England's  done:" 

whereby  it  was  generally  conceived,  that  after  the 
princes  had  reigned  which  had  the  principal  letters  of 
the  word  hempe  (which  were  Henry,  Edward,  Mary, 
Philip,  and  Elizabeth),  England  should  come  to  utter 
confusion;  which  thanks  be  to  God,  is  verified  only  in 
the  change  of  the  name;  for  that  the  king's  style  is  now 
no  more  of  England,  but  of  Britain. f  There  was  also 
another  prophecy  before  the  year  of  eighty  eight,  which 
I  do  not  well  understand. 


♦  Catherine  de  MedicLs.  the  wife  of  Henrj'  II-  of  France,  who 
die<i  fix)m  a  wound  accidentally  received  in  a  tournament. 
t  James  I.  being  the  first  monarch  of  Great  Britain. 


m  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

"  There  shall  be  seen  upon  a  day, 
Between  the  Baugh  and  the  May, 
The  black  fleet  of  Norway. 
When  that  that  is  come  and  gone, 
England  build  houses  of  lime  and  stone, 
For  after  wars  shall  you  have  none." 

It  was  generally  conceived  to  be  meant  of  tbe  Spanish 
fleet  tliat  came  in  eighty-eight:  for  that  the  king  of 
Spain's  surname,  as  Ihey  say,  is  Norway.  The  predic- 
tion of  Regiomontanus, 

"  Octogesimus  octavus  mirabilis  annus."  • 

was  thought  likewise  accomplished  in  the  sending  of 
tliat  great  fleet,  being  the  greatest  in  strength,  though 
not  in  number,  of  all  that  ever  swam  upon  the  sea.  A.s 
for  Cleon's  dream, f  I  think  it  was  a  jest;  it  was,  thai  he 
was  devoured  of  a  long  dragon:  and  it  was  expounded 
of  a  maker  of  sausages,  tliat  troubled  him  exceedingly. 
There  are  numbers  of  the  like  kind;  especially  if  you 
include  di'eams,  and  predictions  of  astrology:  but  I  have 
set  down  these  few  only  of  certain  credit,  for  example. 

*  "The  eighty-eight  will  be  a  wondrous  year." 

+  Aristophanes,  in  his  Comedy  of  The  Knights,  satirizes  Cleon, 
the  Athenian  demagogue.  He  introduces  a  declaration  of  the 
oracle  that  the  Eagle  of  hides  (by  whom  Cleon  was  meant,  bis 
father  having  been  a  tanner)  should  be  conquered  by  a  serpent, 
which  Demosthenes,  one  of  the  characters  in  the  play,  expounds 
as  meaning  amaker  of  sausages.  How  Lord  Bacon  could  for  a 
moment  doubt  that  this  was  a  mere  jest,  it  is  diflScult  to  con- 
jecture. The  following  is  a  literal  translation  of  a  portion  of  the 
passage  from  The  Knights  (1.  197):  "  But  when  a  leather  eaglo 
with  crooked  talons  shall  have  seized  with  its  jaws  a  serpent,  a 
stupid  creature,  a  drinker  of  blood,  then  the  tan  pickle  of  the 
Paphlagonians  is  destroyed;  but  upon  the  sellers  of  sausages  tlio 
Deity  bestows  great  glory,  unless  they  choose  rather  to  sell 
sausages." 


OF  PROPIIECIEB.  18? 

My  judgment  is  that  tliey  ought  all  to  be  despised,  and 
ought  to  serve  but  for  winter  talk  by  the  lireside: 
though  when  I  say  despised,  I  mean  it  as  for  belief;  for 
otherwise,  the  spreading  or  publishing  of  them  is  in  no 
sort  to  be  despised,  for  they  have  done  much  mischief; 
and  I  see  many  severe  laws  made  to  suppress  them. 
That  that  hath  given  them  grace,  and  some  credit  con- 
sisteth  in  three  things.  First,  that  men  mark  when 
they  hit,  and  never  mark  when  they  miss:*  as  they  do, 
generally,  also  of  dreams.  The  second  is,  that  probable 
conjectures,  or  obscure  traditions,  many  times  turn 
themselves  into  prophecies;  while  the  nature  of  man, 
which  coveteth  divination,  thinks  it  no  peril  to  foretell 
that  which  indeed  they  do  but  collect;  as  that  of  Seneca's 
verse;  for  so  much  was  then  subject  to  demonstration, 
that  the  globe  of  the  earth  had  great  parts  beyond  the 
Atlantic,  which  might  be  probably  conceived  not  to  be 
all  sea :  and  added  thereto  the  tradition  in  Plato's  Tim- 
SEnius,  and  his  Allanticus.f  it  might  encourage  one  to 
turn  it  to  a  prediction.  The  third  and  last  (which  is  the 
great  one)  is  that  almost  all  of  them,  being  infinite  in 
number,  have  been  impostures,  and  by  idle  and  crafty 
brains,  merely  contrived  and  feigned,  after  the  event 
past. 

*  This  is  a  very  just  remark.  So-called  strange  coincidences, 
and  wonderful  dreams  that  are  verified,  when  the  point  is  con- 
sidered, are  really  not  at  all  marvellous.  We  never  hear  of  the 
999  dreams  that  are  not  verified,  but  the  thousandth  that  hap- 
pens to  precede  its  fulfillment  is  blazoned  by  unthinking  people 
as  a  marvel.  It  would  be  a  much  more  wonderful  thing  if  dreams 
were  not  occasionally  verified. 

t  Under  this  name  he  alludes  to  the  Critias  of  Plato,  in  which 
an  imaginary  "  terra  incognita"  is  discoursed  of  under  the  name 
of  the  "  New  Atlantis."  It  has  been  conjectured  from  tliis  by 
some,  that  Plato  really  did  believe  in  Ibe  existence  of  a  continent 
on  the  other  side  of  the  globe. 


188  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 


XXXVI.— OF  AMBITION. 

Ambition  is  like  clioler,  Avbicli  is  a  humor  tliat 
maketli  men  active,  earnest,  full  of  alacrity,  and  stirring, 
if  it  be  not  stopped:  but  if  it  be  stopped,  and  cannot 
have  its  way,  it  becometh  adust,*  and  thereby  malign 
and  venomous:  so  ambitious  men,  if  they  find  the  way 
open  for  their  rising,  and  still  get  forward,  they  are 
rather  busy  than  dangerous;  but  if  they  be  checked  in 
llieir  desires,  they  become  secretly  discontent,  and  look 
upon  men  and  matters  with  an  evil  eye,  and  are  best 
pleased  when  things  go  backward;  which  is  the  worst 
property  in  a  servant  of  a  prince  or  state:  therefore  it  is 
good  for  princes,  if  they  use  ambitious  men,  to  handle 
it  so,  as  they  be  still  progressive,  and  not  retrograde; 
which,  because  it  cannot  be  without  inconvenience,  it  is 
good  not  to  use  such  natiues  at  all;  for  if  they  rise  not 
■with  their  service,  they  will  take  order  to  make  their 
service  fall  with  them.  But  since  we  have  said,  it  were 
good  not  to  use  men  of  ambitious  natures,  except  it  be 
upon  necessity,  it  is  fit  we  speak  in  what  cases  they  are 
of  necessity.  Good  commanders  in  the  wars  must  be 
taken,  be  they  never  so  ambitious;  for  the  use  of  their 
service  dispenseth  with  the  rest:  and  to  take  a  soldier 
without  ambition,  is  to  pull  off  his  spurs.  Tliere  is  also 
great  use  of  ambitious  men  in  being  screens  to  princes 
in  matters  of  danger  and  envy;  for  no  man  will  take 
that  part  except  he  be  like  a  seeled  f  dove,  that  mounts 
and  mounts,  because  he  cannot  see  about  him.  There 
is  use  also  of  ambitious  men  in  pulling  down  the  great- 
ness of  any  subject  that  overtops;    as  Tiberius  used 

*  Hot  and  fiery. 

t  With  the  eyes  closed,  or  bUndfolded. 


OF  AMBITION.  139 

Macro*  in  the  pulling  down  of  Sejanus.  Since,  tlicre- 
fore,  they  must  be  used  iu  such  cases,  there  resteth  to 
speak  how  they  are  to  be  bridled,  that  they  may  be  less 
dangerous.  There  is  less  danger  of  them  if  they  be  of 
mean  birth,  than  if  they  be  noble;  and  if  they  be  rather 
harsh  of  nature,  than  gracious  and  popular;  and  if  they 
be  rather  new  raised,  than  grown  cunning  and  fortilied 
in  their  greatness.  It  is  counted  by  some  a  weakness 
in  princes  to  have  favorites;  but  it  is,  of  all  others,  the 
l)est  remedy  against  ambitious  great  ones;  for  wlien  the 
way  of  pleasuring  and  displeasuring  lieth  by  the 
favorite,  it  is  impossible  any  other  sliould  be  over  great. 
Another  means  to  curb  them,  is  to  balance  them  by 
others  as  proud  as  they:  but  then  there  must  be 
some  middle  counsellors,  to  keep  things  steady;  for 
without  that  ballast  the  ship  will  roll  too  much.  At 
the  least,  a  prince  may  animate  and  inure  some  meaner 
persons  to  be,  as  it  were,  scourges  to  ambitious  men. 
As  for  the  having  of  them  obnoxious  tof  loiin,  if  they 
be  of  fearful  natures,  it  may  do  well;  but  if  they  be 
stout  and  daring,  it  may  precipitate  their  designs,  and 
prove  dangerous.  As  for  the  pulling  of  them  down,  if 
the  affairs  require  it,  and  that  it  may  not  be  done  with 
safety  suddenly,  the  only  way  is,  the  interchange  con- 
tinually of  favors  and  disgraces,  whereby  they  may  not 
know  what  to  expect,  and  be  as  it  were,  in  a  wood. 
Of  ambitions,  it  is  less  harmful  the  ambition  to  pre- 
vail in  great  things,  than  that  other  to  appear  in  every- 
thing; for  that  breeds  confusion,  and  mars  business: 
but  yet,  it  is  less  danger  to  have  an  ambitious  man  stir- 

*  He  was  a  favorite  of  Tiberius,  to  whose  murder  by  Nero  he 
was  said  to  liave  been  an  accessory.  He  afterwards  prostituted 
his  own  wife  to  Caligula,  by  whom  he  was  eventually  put  to 
death-  t  Liable  to. 


140  BACON  S  E8^Ar6. 

ring  in  business,  than  great  in  dependencies.  He  that 
seeketh  to  be  eminent  among  stable  men,  hatli  a  great 
task;  but  that  is  ever  good  for  the  public;  but  he  that 
plots  to  be  the  only  figure  among  ciphers,  is  the  decay 
of  a  whole  age.  Honor  hath  three  tilings  in  it;  the 
vantage  ground  to  do  good;  the  approach  to  kings  and 
principal  persons;  and  the  raising  of  a  man's  own  for- 
tunes. He  that  hath  the  best  of  these  intentions,  wlien 
lie  aspireth,  is  an  honest  man;  and  that  prince  that  can 
discern  of  these  intentions  in  another  that  aspireth,  is  a 
wise  prince.  Generally,  let  princes  and  states  choose 
such  ministers  as  are  more  sensible  of  duty  than  of  ris- 
ing, and  such  as  love  business  rather  upon  conscience 
than  upon  bravery;  and  let  them  discern  a  busy  nature 
from  a  willing  mind. 

XXXVII. -OF  MASQUES  AND  TRIUMPHS. 

These  things  are  but  toys  to  come  amongst  such  seri- 
ous observations;  but  yet,  since  princes  will  have  such 
things,  it  is  better  they  should  be  graced  with  elegancy, 
than  daubed  witli  cost.  Dancing  to  song,  is  a  Ihijig  of 
great  state  and  pleasure.  I  understand  it  that  the  song 
be  in  quire,  placed  aloof,  and  accompanied  with  some 
broken  music;  and  the  ditty  fitted  to  the  device.  Act- 
ing in  song,  especially  in  dialogues,  hath  an  extreme 
good  grace;  I  say  acting,  not  dancing  (for  that  is  a 
mean  and  vulgar  thing);  and  the  voices  of  the  dialogue 
woidd  be  strong  and  manly  (a  base  and  a  tenor;  no 
treble),  and  the  ditty  high  and  tragical,  not  nice  or 
dainty.  Several  quires  placed  one  over  against  another, 
and  taking  the  voice  by  catches  anthem-wise,  give  great 
pleasure.  Turning  dances  into  figure  is  a  childish  curi- 
osity; and  generally,  let  it  be  noted,  that  those  things 


OF  MASQUES  AND   TRIUMPHS.  Ui 

■which  I  liere  set  down  are  such  as  do  naturally  take  the 
sense,  and  not  respect  petty  wonderments.  It  is  true, 
the  alterations  of  scenes,  so  it  be  quietly  and  without 
noise,  are  tilings  of  great  beauty  and  pleasure;  for  they 
feed  and  relieve  the  eye  before  it  l)c  full  of  the  same 
object.  Let  the  scenes  abound  with  light,  especially 
colored  and  varied ;  and  let  the  masques,  or  any  other 
that  are  to  come  down  from  the  scene,  have  some  mo- 
tions upon  the  scenes  itself  liefore  their  coming  down; 
for  it  draws  the  eye  strangely,  and  makes  it  with  great 
pleasure  to  desire  to  see  that,  it  cannot  perfectly  discern. 
Let  tlie  songs  be  loud  and  cheerful,  and  not  chirpings  or 
pulings:*  let  the  music  likewise  be  sharp  and  loud,  and 
well  placed.  The  colors  that  show  best  by  candlelight, 
arc  white,  carnation,  and  a  kind  of  sea-water  green, 
and  ouches, f  or  spangs4  as  they  are  of  no  great  cost,  so 
tliey  are  of  most  glory.  As  for  rich  embroidery,  it  is 
lost,  and  not  discerned.  Let  the  suits  of  the  masquers 
be  graceful,  and  such  as  become  the  person  when  the 
vizors  are  off;  not  after  examples  of  known  attires; 
Turks,  soldiers,  mariners,  and  the  like.  Let  anti- 
masques  §  not  l)c  long;  they  have  been  commonly  of 
fools,  sat>Ts,  baboons,  wild  men,  antics,  beasts,  sprites, 
witches,  Rthiopcs,  pigmies,  turquets,|  nymphs,  rustics, 

*  Chiri'ings  like  the  noise  of  young  birds. 

+  Jewels  or  necklaces 

X  Span^lef!,  or  O's  of  p^)ld  or  silver.  Beckmann  says  that  these 
werp  invontert  in  the  beginning  of  the  seventeenth  century.  See 
Beckmann's  Hist,  of  Inventions  (Bohn's  Stand.  Lib.),  vol  i.  p.  434. 

S  Or  autick-masques;  were  ridiculous  interludes  dividing  the 
acts  of  Uie  more  serious  masque.  These  were  performed  by 
hired  actors,  while  the  masque  was  played  by  ladies  and  gentle- 
men. The  rul»  was,  the  characters  were  to  be  neither  serious  nor 
f  Mcous.  The  "  Comus"  of  Milton  is  an  admirable  specijnen  of 
basque.  .  Turks. 


142  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

Cupids,  statues,  moving,  and  the  like.  As  for  angels, 
it  is  not  comical  enough  to  put  them  in  anti-masques: 
and  anything  that  is  hideous,  as  devils,  giants,  is,  ou 
the  other  side,  as  unfit:  but  chietly,  let  the  music  of 
them  be  recreative,  and  with  some  strange  cliauges. 
Some  sweet  odors  suddenly  coming  forth,  without  any 
drops  falling,  are,  in  such  a  company  as  there  is  steam 
and  heat,  things  of  great  pleasure  and  refreshment. 
Double  masques,  one  of  men,  another  of  ladies,  addeth 
state  and  variety;  but  all  is  nothing,  except  the  room 
be  kept  clear  and  neat. 

For  justs,  and  tourneys,  and  barriers,  the  glories  of 
them  are  chiefly  in  the  chariots,  wherein  the  challeng- 
ers make  their  entry;  especially  if  they  be  drawn  with 
strange  beasts:  as  lions,  bears,  camels,  and  the  like;  or 
in  the  devices  of  their  entrance,  or  in  the  bravery  of 
their  liveries,  or  in  the  goodly  furniture  of  their  horses 
and  armor.     But  enough  of  these  toys. 

XXXVIII.— OF  NATURE  IN  MEN. 

Nature  is  often  hidden,  sometimes  overcome,  sel- 
dom extinguished.  Force  maketh  nature  more  violent 
in  the  return;  doctrine  and  discourse  maketh  nature  less 
importune;  but  custom  only  doth  alter  and  subdue  na- 
ture. He  that  seeketh  victory  over  his  nature,  let  him 
not  set  himself  too  great  nor  too  small  tasks:  for  the 
first  will  make  him  dejected  by  often  failings,  and  the 
second  will  make  him  a  small  proceeder,  though  by 
often  prevailings;  and  at  the  first,  let  him  practise  with 
helps,  as  swimmers  do  with  bladders,  or  rushes;  but, 
after  a  time,  let  him  practise  with  disadvantage,  as 
dancers  do  with  thick  shoes;  for  it  breeds  great  perfec- 
tion, if  the  practice  be  harder  than  the  use.     Where  na- 


OF  NATURE  IN  MEN.  14S 

ture  is  mighty,  and  therefore  the  victory  hard,  the  de- 
grees had  need  be,  firet  to  stay  and  arrest  nature  in 
time;  like  to  him  that  would  say  over  the  four  and 
twenty  letters  when  he  was  angry;  then  to  go  less  in 
quantity:  as  if  one  should,  in  forbearing  wine,  come 
from  drinking  healths  to  a  draught  at  a  meal ;  and  lastly, 
to  discontinue  altogether:  but  if  a  man  have  the  forti- 
tude and  resolution  to  enfranchise  himself  at  once,  that 
is  the  best: 

"Optimus  ille  anim!  vindex  lasdentia  pectus 
VincuJa  qui  rupit,  dedoluitque  semeL"* 

Neither  is  the  ancient  rule  amiss,  to  bend  nature  as  a 
wand  to  a  contrary  extreme,  whereby  to  set  it  right; 
understanding  it  where  the  contrary  extreme  is  no  vice. 
Let  not  a  man  force  a  habit  upon  himself  with  aperpet 
ual  continuance,  but  with  some  intermission:  for  both 
the  pause  reiuforceth  the  new  onset;  and  if  a  man  that 
is  not  perfect,  be  ever  in  practice,  he  shall  as  well  prac- 
tise his  errors  as  his  abilities,  and  induce  one  habit  of 
both;  and  there  is  no  means  to  help  this  but  hy  season- 
able intermissions;  but  let  not  a  man  trust  his  victory 
over  his  nature  too  far;  for  nature  will  lie  buried  a 
groat  time,  and  yet  revive  upon  the  occasion,  or  tempta- 
tion; like  as  it  was  with  ^sop's  damsel,  turned  from  a 
cat  to  a  woman,  who  sat  very  demurely  at  the  board's 
end  till  a  mouse  ran  before  her:  therefore,  let  a  man 
either  avoid  the  occasion  altogether,  or  put  himself 
oflen  to  it,  that  he  may  be  little  moved  with  it.  A 
man's  nature  is  best  perceived  in  privateness,  for  tliere 
is  no  affectation;  in  passion,  for  that  putteth  a  man  out 

♦  "  He  is  the  best  tisserter  of  the  liberty  ot  his  mind  who  bursts 
the  chains  that  ^all  his  breast,  and  at  the  same  moment  ceases 
to  grieve."    This  quotation  is  from  Ovid's  Remedy  of  Love. 


144  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

ot  his  precepts;  and  in  a  new  case  or  experiment,  for 
there  custom  leaveth  him.  Tliey  are  happy  men  whose 
natures  sort  with  their  vocations;  otherwise  they  may 
say,  "  Multum  incola  fuit  anima  mea,"*  when  they  con- 
verse  in  those  things  they  do  not  affect.  In  studies, 
whatsoever  a  man  commandcth  upon  himself,  let  him 
set  hours  for  it;  but  whatsoever  is  agreeable  to  his  na- 
ture, let  him  take  no  care  for  any  set  times;  for  his 
thoughts  will  fly  to  it  of  themselves,  so  as  the  spaces  of 
oilier  business  or  studies  will  suffice.  A  mau's  nature 
runs  either  to  herbs  or  weeds;  therefore  let  him  season- 
ably water  the  one,  and  destroy  the  other. 

XXXIX.— OF  CUSTOM  AND  EDUCATION. 

Men's  thoughts  are  much  according  to  their  incli- 
nation:! their  discourse  and  speeches  according  to 
their  learning  and  infused  opinions;  but  their  deeds 
are  after  as  they  have  been  accustomed:  and,  there- 
fore, as  Machiavel  well  noteih  (though  in  an  evil- 
favored  instance),  tliere  is  no  trusting  to  the  force  of 
nature,  nor  to  the  bravery  of  words,  except  it  be 
corroborate  by  custom.  His  instance  is,  that  for  the 
achieving  of  a  desperate  conspiracy,  a  man  should 
not  rest  upon  the  fierceness  of  any  man's  nature,  or  his 
resolute  undertakings;  but  take  such  a  one  as  hath  had 
Ids  hands  formerly  in  blood;  but  Machiavel  knew  m  t 
of  a  Friar  Clement,  nor  a  RavillacJ  "or  a  Jaureguy  \ 

*  "  My  soul  has  long  been  a  sojourner." 

t  "The  wish  is  father  to  the  thought,"  is  a  proverbial  saying 
of  similar  meaning. 

t  He  mui-dered  Henry  IV.  of  France,  in  1610. 

§  Philip  II.  of  Spain  having,  in  l.'J82,  set  a  price  upon  the  head 
M  William  of  Nassau,  Prince  of  Orange,  tho  leadwr  of  the  Prot 


OF  CUSTOM  AND  EDUCATION.         145 

nor  a  Bull  a  zar  Gerard  *  yet  bis  rule  holdeth  still,  that 
uuture,  uor  the  eiigagement  of  words,  are  not  so  forci- 
ble as  custom.  Only  superstition  is  now  so  ■well  td 
vauced,  that  men  of  the  first  blood  are  as  firm  as  butch- 
ers  by  occupation;  and  votary f  resolution  is  made 
equipollent  to  custom  even  in  matter  of  blood.  In 
other  things,  the  predominancy  of  custom  is  every- 
where visible,  insomuch  as  a  man  would  wonder  to 
hear  men  profess,  protest,  engage,  give  great  words, 
and  then  do  just  as  they  have  done  before,  as  if  they 
were  dead  images  and  engines,  moved  only  by  the 
wheels  of  custom.  We  see  also  the  reign  or  tyranny 
of  custom,  what  it  is.  The  Indians  %  (I  mean  the  sect 
of  their  wise  men)  lay  themselves  quietly  upon  a  slack 
of  wood,  and  so  sacrifice  themselves  by  fire:  nay,  the 
wives  strive  to  he  burned  witli  the  corpses  of  their  hus- 
bands. The  lads  of  Sparta,  of  ancient  time,  were  wont 
to  be  scourged  upon  the  altar  of  Diana,  without  so 
much  as  quecking.§  I  remember,  in  the  beginning  of 
Queen  Elizabeth's  time  of  England,  an  Irish  rebel  c(m- 
denined,  put  up  a  petition  to  the  deputy  that  he  might 
be  hanged  in  a  withe,  and  not  in  a  lialter,  because  it 
had  been  so  used  with  former  rebels.  There  be  monks 
in  Russia  for  penance,  that  will  sit  a  whole  night  in  a 
vessel  of  water,  till  they  be  engaged  with  hard  ice. 
Many  examples  may  be  put  of  the  force  of  custom,  both 

estants,  Jaureguy,  attempted  to  assassinate  him,  and  severely 
wounded  liim. 

*  He  assassinated  William  of  Nassau,  in  1584.  It  is  supposed 
that  tliis  fanatic  meditated  the  crime  for  six  years. 

+  A  resolution  prompted  by  a  vow  of  devotion  to  a  particular 
principle  or  creed. 

X  He  alludes  to  the  Hindoos,  and  the  ceremony  of  Suttee,  en- 
couraged by  the  Brahmins. 

S  Flinching. 


146  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

upon  niiud  and  bod\':  therefore,  since  custom  is  the 
principal  magistrate  of  man's  life,  let  men  by  all  means 
endeavor  to  obtain  good  customs.  Certainly,  custom 
is  most  perfect  when  it  beginneth  in  young  years :  this 
■we  call  education,  which  is,  in  effect,  but  an  early 
custom.  So  we  see,  in  languages  the  tongue  is  more 
pliant  to  all  expressions  and  sounds,  the  joints  are  more 
supple  to  all  feats  of  activity  and  motions  in  youth, 
than  afterwards;  for  it  is  true,  that  late  learners  cannot 
so  well  take  the  ply,  except  it  be  in  some  minds  that 
have  not  suffered  themselves  to  fix,  but  have  kept  them- 
selves open  and  prepared  to  receive  continual  amend- 
ment, which  is  exceeding  rare:  but  if  the  force  of  cus- 
tom, simple  and  separate,  be  great,  the  force  of  custom, 
copulate  and  conjoined  and  collegiate,  is  far  greater; 
for  their  example  teacheth,  company  comfortelh,  emu- 
lation quickeneth,  glory  raiseth;  so  as  in  such  places  the 
force  of  custom  is  in  his  exultation.  Certainly,  the 
great  multipiication  of  virtues  upon  human  nature  rest- 
eth  upon  societies  well  ordained  and  disciplined;  for 
commonwealths  and  good  governments  do  nourish  vir- 
tue grown,  but  do  not  much  mend  the  seeds;  but  the 
misery  is,  that  the  most  effectual  means  are  now  applied 
to  the  eads  least  to  be  desired. 

XL.— OF  FORTUNE. 

It  cannot  be  denied,  but  outward  accidents  conduce 
much  to  fortune;  favor,  opportunity,  death  of  others, 
occasion  fitting  virtue:  but  chiefly,  the  mould  of  a 
man's  fortune  is  in  his  own  hands:  "Faber  quisque 
fortunse  suae,"*  salth  the  poet;  and  the  most  frequent 

*"  Every  man  is  tlie  architect  of  his  own  fortune."  Sallnst, 
in  his  letters  "  De  Republica  Ordinanda,"  attributes  these  words 


OF  FORTUNE.  147 

of  external  causes  is,  tliat  the  folly  of  one  man  is  the 
fortune  of  another;  for  no  man  prospers  so  suddenly 
as  by  others'  errors.  "  Serpens  nisi  serpeulem  couie- 
derit  uon  fit  draco."  *  Overt  and  apparent  virtues  bring 
forth  praise;  but  there  be  secret  and  liidden  virtues  that 
bring  forth  fortune;  certain  deliveries  of  a  man's  self, 
■which  have  no  name.  The  Spanish  name,  "disembol- 
tura,"f  partly  expresseth  them,  when  there  be  not 
Btonds  X  nor  restiveness  in  a  man's  nature,  but  that  the 
wlieels  of  his  mind  keep  way  with  the  wheels  of  his 
fortune;  for  so  Livy  (after  he  had  described  Cato  Major 
in  these  words,  "In  illo  viro,  tautum  robur  corporis  cl 
animi  fuit.  ut  quocunque  loco  natus  esset,  fortunani 
sibi  facturus  vidcrotur),"§  falleth  upon  that  that  he  had 
"  versatile  ingeuium:"  \  therefore,  if  a  man  look  sharply 
and  attentively,  he  shall  see  fortune;  for  thougli  she  be 
blind,  yet  she  is  not  invisible.  The  way  of  Fortunfj  is 
like  the  milky  way  in  the  sky;  wliich  is  a  meeting,  or 
knot,  of  a  number  of  small  stars,  not  seen  asunder,  but 
giving  light  together;  so  are  there  a  number  of  little 


to  Appius  Claudius  Csecus,  a  Roman  poet  whose  works  are  now 
lost.  Lord  Bacon,  in  the  Latin  translation  of  his  Essays,  which 
was  made  under  his  supervision,  rendered  the  word  "poet" 
"comicus;"  by  whom  he  probably  meant  Plautus,  who  has  this 
line  in  his  "Trinurais"  (Act  ii.  sc.  2):  "Nam  sapiens  quidera  pol 
ipsus  fingit  fortunam  sibi,"  which  has  the  same  meaning, 
though  in  somewhat  different  terras. 

*  "  A  serpent,  unless  it  has  devoiu-ed  a  serpent,  does  not  be- 
come a  dragon." 

+  Or  "  desenvoltura,"  implying  readiness  to  adapt  oneself  to 
circumstances. 

X  Impediments,  causes  for  hesitation. 

§  "  In  that  man  there  was  such  great  strength  of  body  and 
mind,  that  in  whatever  station  he  had  been  bora,  he  seemed  a* 
though  he  should  make  his  fortune." 

'  "  A  versatile  genius." 


148  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

jind  scarce  discerned  virtues,  or  rather  faculties  and 
customs,  that  make  men  fortunate.  Tlie  Italians  note 
some  of  them,  such  as  a  man  would  little  think.  When 
they  speak  of  one  that  cannot  do  amiss,  they  will  throw 
in  into  his  other  conditions,  that  he  hath  "  Poco  di 
matto;"*  and  certainly,  there  be  not  two  more  fortunate 
properties,  tlian  to  have  a  little  of  the  fool,  and  not  too 
much  of  the  honest;  therefore  extreme  lovers  of  their 
country,  or  masters,  were  never  fortunate;  neither  cavi 
they  be;  for  when  a  man  placeth  his  thoughts  without 
himself,  he  goeth  not  his  own  way.  A  hasty  fortune 
maketh  an  enterpriser  and  remover;  (the  French  hath 
it  better,  "  entrepronant,"  or  "remuant");  but  the  ex- 
ercised fortune  maketh  the  able  man.  Fortune  is  to  be 
honored  and  respected,  and  it  be  but  for  her  daughters, 
Confidence  and  Beputation;  for  those  two  Felicity 
breedeth;  the  first  within  a  man's  self,  the  latter  in 
others  towards  him.  All  wise  men,  to  decline  the  envy 
of  their  own  virtues,  use  to  ascribe  them  to  Providence 
and  Fortune;  for  so  they  may  the  better  assume  them: 
and,  besides,  it  is  greatness  in  a  man  to  be  the  care  of 
the  higher  powers.  So  Caesar  said  to  the  pilot  in  the 
tempest,  "Coesarem  portas,  et  fortuuam  ejus."f  So 
Sylla  chose  the  name  of  "Felix,"  J  and  not  of  "  Mag- 
nus :"§  and  it  hath  been  noted,  that  those  who  ascribe 
openlj"^  too  much  to  their  own  wisdom  and  policy,  end 
unfortunate.     It  is  written,  that  Timotheus,]]  the  Atho- 


*  "A  little  of  the  fool." 

t  "  Thou  earnest  Caesar  aud  his  fortunes." 

t  "The  fortunate."    He  attributed  his  success  to  the  interven- 
tion of  Hercules,  to  whom  he  paid  especial  veneration. 

§  "The  Great." 
A  successful  Athenian  general,  the  Kon  of  Conon,  and  the 
friend  of  Plato. 


OF  USUliY.  149 

nlan,  after  he  had,  in  the  account  he  gave  to  the  state 
of  his  government,  often  interlaced  this  speech,  "  and 
in  this  Fortune  had  no  part,"  never  prospered  in  any- 
thing he  undertook  afterwards.  Cerlaiiily  there  be, 
wliose  fortunes  are  like  Homer's  verses,  that  liave  a 
slide*  and  easiness  more  tlian  tiie  verses  of  other  poets; 
as  Plutarch  saith  of  Timoleon's  fortune  in  respect  of 
that  of  Agesilaus  or  Epamiuondas:  and  that  this  should 
be,  no  doubt  it  is  much  in  a  man's  self. 

XLI.— OF  USURY,  t 

Many  have  made  witty  invectives  against  usury. 
Tliey  say  that  it  is  a  pity  the  devil  should  have  God's 
part,  which  is  the  tithe;  that  the  usurer  is  the  greatest 
Babbath-breaker,  because  his  plough  goeth  every  Sun- 
day; that  the  usurer  is  the  drone  that  Virgil  speak- 
eth  of: 

"Ignavum  fucos  pecus  a  pncsepibus  arcent;"  % 

that  the  usurer  breaketh  the  first  law  that  was  made 
for  mankind  after  the  fall,  which  was,  "  in  sudore 
viillus  tui  comedes  panem  tuum;"§  not,  "in  sudore 
vultus  alieni;"!  that  usurers  should  have  orange- 
lawny^  bonnets,  because  they  do  Judaize;  that  it  is 

*  Fluency  or  smoothness. 

t  Lord  Bacon  seems  to  use  tlie  word  In  the  general  sense  of 
'*  lending  money  upon  interest." 

X  "■  Drive  from  their  hives  the  drones,  a  lazy  race."— Georgics, 
b.  iv.  168. 

JH  "  In  the  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat  thy  bread."— Gen. 
Hi.  19. 

E  "  In  the  sweat  of  the  face  of  another." 

5  In  the  middle  ages  the  Jews  were  compollod,  by  legal  enact- 
ment, to  wear  peculiar  dresses  and  colors;  one  of  these  was 
orange. 


160  BACOI^'S  ESSAYS. 

against  nature  for  money  to  beget  money,  and  the 
like.  I  say  this  only,  that  usury  is  a  "  coucessuni 
propter  duritiem  cordis :"  *  for  since  there  must  be 
borrowing  and  lending,  and  men  are  so  hard  of  heart 
as  they  will  not  lend  freely,  usury  must  be  permitted. 
Some  others  have  made  suspicious  and  cunning  pro- 
positions of  banks,  discovery  of  men's  estates,  and 
otiier  inventions;  but  few  liave  spoken  of  usury  use- 
fully. It  is  good  to  set  before  us  the  incommodities 
and  commodities  of  usury,  that  the  good  may  be 
either  weighed  out,  or  culled  out;  and  warily  to  pro- 
vide, that,  while  we  make  forth  to  that  which  is  better, 
we  meet  with  not  that  which  is  worse. 

The  discommodities  of  usury  are,  first,  that  it  makes 
fewer  merchants;  for  were  it  not  for  this  lazy  trade  of 
usury,  money  would  not  lie  still,  but  would  in  great 
part  be  employed  upon  merchandising,  which  is  the 
"vena  porta  "  f  of  wealth  in  a  state:  the  second,  that  it 
makes  poor  merchants;  for  as  a  farmer  cannot  husband 
his  ground  so  well  if  he  sit  at  a  great  rent,  so  the  mer- 
chant cannot  drive  his  trade  so  well,  if  he  sit  X  at  great 
usury:  the  third  is  incident  to  the  other  two;  and  that 
is,  the  decay  of  customs  of  kings,  or  states,  which  ebb 
or  flow  with  merchandising:  the  fourth,  that  it  bringeth 
the  treasure  of  a  realm  or  state  into  a  few  hands;  for 
the  usurer  being  at  certainties,  and  others  at  uucertaiu- 
ties,  at  the  end  of  the  game  most  of  the  money  will  be 
in  the  box ;  and  ever  a  state  flourisheth  when  wealth  is 
more  equally  spread:  the  fifth,  that  it  beats  do v,'n  the 
price  of  land;  for  the  employment  of  money  is  chiefly 
either  merchandising,  or  purchasing,  and  usury  waylays 

*  "  A  concession  by  reason  of  hardness  of  heart."    He  alludes 
to  the  words  in  St.  Matthew  xix.  8. 
i  See  Note  to  Essay  xix.  }  Hold. 


OF  USURY.  151 

botb:  the  sixth,  thut  it  doth  dull  and  damp  all  indus- 
tries, improvements,  and  new  inventions,  wherein  money 
would  be  stirring,  if  it  were  not  for  this  slug:  the  last, 
tliat  it  is  the  canker  and  ruin  of  many  men's  estates, 
which  in  process  of  time  breeds  a  public  poverty. 

On  tlie  other  side,  the  commodities  of  usury  arc,  first, 
that  howsoever  usury  in  some  respect  hinderelh  mer- 
ciiandising,  yet  in  some  other  it  advanceth  it;  for  it  is 
certain  that  the  greatest  pari  of  trade  is  driven  by  young 
merchants  upon  borrowing  at  interest;  so  as  if  the 
usurer  either  call  in,  or  keep  back  his  money,  there  will 
ensue  presently  a  great  stand  of  trade:  the  second  is, 
that  were  it  not  for  this  easy  borrowing  upon  interest, 
men's  necessities  would  draw  upon  them  a  most  sudden 
undoing,  in  that  they  would  be  forced  to  sell  their  means 
(be  it  lands  or  good),  far  under  foot,  and  so,  whereas 
usury  doth  but  gnasv  upon  them,  bad  markets  would 
swallow  them  quite  up.  As  for  mortgaging  or  pawn- 
ing, it  will  little  mend  the  matter:  for  either  men  will 
not  take  pawns  without  use,  or  if  they  do,  they  will 
look  precisely  for  the  forfeiture.  I  remember  a  cruel 
moneyed  man  in  the  country,  that  would  say,  "The 
devil  take  this  usury,  it  keeps  us  from  forfeitures  of 
mortgages  and  bonds."  The  third  and  last  is,  that  it  is 
a  vanity  to  ccmceive  that  there  would  be  ordinary  bor- 
rowing without  profit;  and  it  is  impossible  to  conceive 
the  number  of  inconveniences  that  will  ensue,  if  bor- 
rowing be  cramped:  therefore  to  speak  of  the  abolish- 
ing of  usury  is  idle;  all  stales  have  ever  had  it  in  one 
kind  or  rale,  or  other;  so  as  that  opinion  must  be  sent 
to  Utopia.* 


•  The   imaginary  country  descrilied  in    Sir  Thomas  More's 
political  romance  of  tho.t  uame. 


152  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

To  speak  now  of  the  reforuialion  and  reglement  *  of 
usury,  bow  the  discommodities  of  it  may  be  best 
avoided,  and  the  commodities  retained.  It  appears,  by 
the  balance  of  commodities  and  discommodities  of 
usury,  two  things  are  to  be  reconciled ;  the  one  that  the 
tooth  of  usury  be  grinded,  that  it  bite  not  too  mucli;  the 
other,  that  there  be  left  open  a  means  to  invite  moneyed 
men  to  lend  to  the  merchants,  for  the  coutiuuiug  and 
quickening  of  trade.  This  cannot  be  done,  except  you 
introduce  two  several  sorts  of  usury,  a  less  and  a  greater; 
for  if  j'ou  reduce  usury  to  one  low  rate,  it  will  ease  the 
commou  borrower,  but  the  merchant  will  be  to  seek  for 
money;  and  it  is  to  be  noted,  that  the  trade  of  merchan- 
dise being  the  most  lucrative,  may  bear  usury  at  a  good 
rate:  other  contracts  not  so. 

To  serve  both  intentions,  the  way  would  be  briefly 
thus:  that  there  be  two  rates  of  usury;  the  one  free  and 
genenU  for  all;  the  other  under  license  only  to  certain 
persons,  and  in  certain  places  of  merchandising.  First, 
therefore,  let  usury  in  general  be  reduced  to  five  in  the 
hundred,  and  let  that  rate  be  proclaimed  to  be  free  and 
current;  and  let  the  state  shut  itself  out  to  lake  any 
penalty  for  the  same;  this  will. preserve  borrowing  from 
any  general  stop  or  dryness;  tjjis  will  ease  infinite  bor- 
rowers in  tlie  countr}';  this  will,  in  good  part,  raise  the 
price  of  land,  be&iuse  land  purciiased  at  sixteen  years' 
purchase  will  3'ield  six  in  the  hundred,  and  somewhat 
more  whereas  this  rate  of  interest  yields  but  five:  this 
by  like  reason  will  encourage  and  edge  industries  and 
profitable  improvements,  because  many  will  rather  ven- 
ture in  that  kind,  than  take  five  in  the  hundred,  es- 
pecially having  been  used  to  greater  profit.     Secondly, 

*  Regulation. 


OF  YOUTH  AND  AGE.  153 

lot  there  be  certain  persons  licensed  to  lend  to  known 
merchants  upon  usury,  at  a  higiier  rutc,  and  let  it  be 
with  the  cautious  following:  let  the  rate  be,  even  w'\\\\ 
tlie  merchant  himself,  somewhat  more  easy  than  that  he 
used  formerly  to  pay;  for  by  that  means  all  Iwrrowers 
shall  have  some  ease  by  this  reformation,  be  he  mer- 
ciiant,  or  whosoever;  let  it  be  no  bank  or  common  stock, 
but  every  man  be  nuister  of  his  own  money;  not  that  I 
altogether  mislike  banks,  but  they  will  hardly  be 
brooked,  in  regard  of  certain  suspicions.  Let  the  state 
be  answered*  some  small  matter  for  the  license,  and 
tiie  rest  left  to  the  leader;  for  if  the  abatement  be  but 
small,  it  will  no  whit  discourage  the  lender;  for  he,  for 
example,  that  took  before  ten  or  nine  in  the  hundred, 
will  sooner  descend  to  eight  in  the  hundred,  than  give 
over  his  trade  of  usury ;  and  go  from  certain  gains  to 
gains  of  hazard.  Let  these  licensed  lenders  be  in 
number  indefinite,  but  restrained  to  cei'tain  principal 
cities  and  towns  of  merchandising;  for  then  they  will 
be  hardly  able  to  color  other  men's  moneys  in  the  coun- 
try: so  as  the  license  of  nine  will  not  suck  away  the 
current  rate  of  five ;  for  no  man  will  send  his  moneys  far 
off,  nor  put  them  into  unknown  hands. 

If  it  be  objected  that  this  doth  in  a  sort  authorize 
usury,  which  before  was  in  some  places  but  permissive; 
,  the  answer  is,  that  it  is  better  to  mitigate  usury  by 
declaration,  than  to  suffer  it  to  rage  by  connivance. 

XLH.— OF  YOUTH  AND  AGK 

A  MAN  that  is  young  in  years  may  be  old  in  hours,  if 
he  have  lost  no  time;  but  that  happeneth  rarely.  Gen- 
erally, youth  is  like  the   first  cogitations,  not  so  wise 

*  Be  paid. 


151  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

as  Ihe  second:  for  there  is  a  yonlli  in  thonglits,  as  well 
as  in  iiges;  and  yet  the  iuvenlion  of  young  ihcn  is  more 
lively  than  that  of  old,  and  imaginations  stream  iiilo 
their  miuds  hetter,  and,  as  it  were,  more  divinely. 
Natures  that  liave  much  heat,  arid  great  and  violent  de- 
sires and  perturbations,  are  not  ripe  for  action  till  they 
liave  passed  the  meridian  of  their  years:  as  it  was  with 
Julius  Cffisar  and  Septimius  Severus;  of  the  latter  of 
whom  it  is  said,  "  Juventutem  egit  erroribus,  irao  furo- 
ribus  plenam;"*  and  yet  he  was  the  ablest  emperor, 
almost,  of  all  the  list ;  but  reposed  natures  may  do  well 
in  youth,  as  it  is  seen  in  Augustus  Cfesar,  Cosmus  Duke 
of  Florence,  Gaston  de  Foix.f  and  others.  On  the  other 
side,  heat  and  vivacity  in  age  is  an  excellent  composi- 
tion for  business.  Young  men  are  fitter  to  invent  than 
to  judge,  fitter  for  execution  than  for  counsel,  and  fitter 
for  new  projects  than  for  settled  business;  for  the  expe- 
rience of  age,  in  things  that  fall  within  the  compass  of 
it,  directeth  them;  but  in  new  things  abuseth  them. 
The  errors  of  young  men  are  the  ruin  of  business;  but 
the  errors  of  aged  men  amount  but  to  this,  that  more 
might  have  been  done,  or  sooner. 

Young  men,  in  the  conduct  and  manage  of  actions, 
embrace  more  than  they  can  hold,  stir  more  than  they 
can  quiet;  fly  to  the  end,  without  consideration  of  the 
means  and  degrees;  pursue  some  few  principles  which 
they  have  chanced  upon  absurdly;  care  not  to  innovate, 
which  draws  unknown  inconveniences;  use  extreme 
remedies  at  first;  and  that,  which  doubleth  all  errors, 
will  not  acknowledge  or  retract  them,  like  an  unready 

*  "  He  passed  his  youth  full  of  errors,  of  madness  even." 
t  He  was  nephew  of  Louis  XH.  of  France,  and  commanded  the 
French  armies  in  Italy  against  the  Spaniards.     After  a  brilliant 
career,  he  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Ravenna,  in  1512. 


OF  YOUTH  AND  AGE.  165 

horse,  that  will  uot  neither  stop  nor  turn.  Men  of  age 
object  too  much,  consult  too  long,  adventure  too  little, 
repent  too  soon,  and  seldom  drive  business  home  to  the 
full  period,  but  content  themselves  with  a  mediocrity  of 
success.  Certainly  it  is  good  to  compound  employ- 
ments of  both;  for  that  will  be  good  for  the  present,  be- 
cause the  virtues  of  either  age  may  correct  the  defects 
of  both;  and  good  for  succession,  tJiat  young  men  may 
be  learners,  while  men  in  age  are  actors;  and,  lastly, 
good  for  externe  accidents,  because  authorit}-  foUoweth 
old  men,  and  favor  and  popularity  youlli:  but  for 
tiie  moral  part,  perliaps,  youtii  will  have  the  pre- 
eminence, as  age  hath  for  the  politic.  A  certain  rab- 
bin, upon  the  text,  "  Your  young  men  shall  see 
visions,  and  your  old  men  shall  dream  dreams"*  ia- 
ferreth  thatj'oung  men  are  admitted  nearer  to  God  than 
old,  because  vision  is  a  clearer  revelation  than  a  dream ; 
and  certainly,  the  more  a  man  drinketli  of  the  world, 
the  more  it  intoxicateth :  and  age  doth  profit  rather  in 
the  powei-s  of  understanding,  than  in  the  virtues  of  the 
will  and  affections.  There  be  some  have  an  over-early 
ripeness  in  their  years,  which  fadeth  betimes:  these  are, 
first,  such  as  have  brittle  wits,  the  edge  whereof  is  soon 
turned:  such  as  was  Hermogenesf  the  rhetorician,  whose 
books  are  exceeding  subtle,  who  afterwards  waxed  stu- 
pid :  a  second  sort  is  of  those  that  have  some  natural  dis- 
position, wliich  have  better  grace  in  youth  than  in  age; 
such  as  is  a  fluent  and  luxuriant  speech,  which  becomes 
youth  well,  but  not  age:  so  Tully  saith  of  Hortensius, 
"Idem  manebat,  neque  idem  decebat:"|  the  third  is  of 

•  Joel  H.  28.  quoted  Acts  H.  17. 

t  He  lived  in  the  second  century  after  Christ,  and  is  said  to 
have  lost  his  memory  at  the  age  of  twenty -Ave. 

t  "  He  remained  the  same,  but  with  the  advance  of  years  was 
not  so  becoming." 


156  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

such  as  take  too  high  a  strain  at  the  first,  and  are  ina«f- 
nauimous  more  than  tract  of  years  can  uphold;  as  was 
Scipio  Africauus,  of  whom  Livy  saith,  in  effect,  "Ul- 
tima primis  cedebant. "  * 

XLIII.— OF  BEAUTY. 

ViBTtJE  is  like  a  rich  stone,  best  plain  set;  and  surely 
virtue  is  best  in  a  body  that  is  comely,  though  not  of 
delicate  features;  and  that  hath  rather  dignity  of  pres- 
ence, tiian  beauty  of  asjject;  neither  is  it  almost  seen 
that  very  beautiful  persons  are  otherwise  of  great  vir- 
tue; as  if  nature  were  rather  busy  not  to  err,  than  in 
labor  to  produce  excellency;  and  therefore  they  prove 
accomplished,  but  not  of  great  spirit;  and  study  rather 
behavior,  thau  virtue.  But  this  holds  not  always:  for 
Augustus  Caesar,  Titus  Vespasiauus,  Philip  le  Bel  of 
France,  Edward  the  Fourth  of  England,!  Alcibiades  of 
Athens,  Ismael  the  Sophy  of  Persia,  were  all  high  and 
great  spirits,  and  yet  the  most  beautiful  men  of  their 
times.  In  beauty,  that  of  favor,  is  more  than  that  of 
color;  and  that  of  decent  and  gracious  motion,  more 
than  that  of  favor4  That  is  the  best  part  of  beauty, 
which  a  picture  cannot  express;  no,  nor  the  first  sight 
of  the  life.  There  is  no  excellent  beauty  that  hath  not 
some  strangeness  in  the  proportion.     A  man  cannot  tell 

*  "The  close  was  unequal  to  the  beginning."  This  quotation 
is  not  correct;  the  words  are— "  Memorabilior  prima  pars  vitas 
quam  postrema  fuit,"— "The  first  part  of  his  life  was  more  dis- 
tinguished than  the  latter." — Llvy,  xxxviii.  ch.  53. 

t  By  the  context,  he  would  seem  to  consider  "  great  spirit"  and 
"virtue"  as  convertible  terms.  Edward  IV.,  however,  lias  no 
claim  to  be  considered  as  a  virtuous  or  magnanimous  man, 
though  he  possessed  great  physical  courage. 

i  Features. 


OF  DEFOltMITY.  157 

wlietlier;  Apelles  or  Albort  Diiicr  were  the  more  trifler; 
whereof  the  cue  would  make  a  ijcrsouage  by  geometri- 
cal proportioiis:  the  other,  by  taking  the  best  parts  out 
of  divere  faces  to  make  one  excellent.  Such  personages, 
I  think,  would  plejise  nobody  but  ihe  painter  that  made 
them:  not  but  I  think  a  painter  may  make  a  better  face 
tlian  ever  was;  but  he  mu.«t  do  it  by  a  kind  of  felicity 
(as  a  musician  that  maketh  an  excellent  air  in  music), 
and  not  by  rule.  A  man  shall  see  faces,  that,  if  you 
examine  Ihem  part  by  part,  you  shall  find  never  a  good; 
and  yet  altogether  do  well.  If  it  be  true  that  the  prin- 
cipal part  of  beauty  is  in  decent  motion,  certainly  it  is 
no  marvel,  though  persons  in  years  seem  many  times 
more  amiable;  "Pulchrorum  autumnus  pulcher;"*  for 
no  youth  can  be  comely  but  by  pardon, f  and  consider- 
ing the  youth  as  to  make  up  the  comeliness.  Beauty  is 
as  summer  fruits,  which  are  easy  to  corrupt,  and  cannot 
last;  and,  for  the  most  part,  it  makes  a  dissolute  youth, 
and  an  age  a  little  out  of  countenance;  but  yet  cer- 
tainly again,  if  it  light  well,  it  maketh  virtues  shine, 
and  vices  blush. 

XLIV.-OF  DEFORMITY. 

Deformed  persons  are  commonlj'  even  with  nature; 
for  as  nature  hath  done  ill  by  them,  so  do  they  by  na- 
ture, being  for  the  most  part  (as  the  Scripture  saitb), 
"void  of  natural  afifection;"  J  and  so  they  have  their  re- 
venge of  nature.  Certainly  there  is  a  consent  ])etwecn 
the  body  and  the  mind,  and  where  nature  erreth  in  the 
one,  she  ventureth  in  the  other:  "Ubi  peccat  in  iino. 
periclitatur  in  altero:"§  but  because  there  is  in  man  an 

•  "The  autumn  of  the  beautiful  is  beautiful." 

+  By  making  allowances.  +  Rom.  i.  31;  II.  Tim.  iii.  3. 

%  "  Where  s''e  errs  in  the  one,  she  ventures  in  the  other." 


158  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

election,  toiicliing  the  frame  of  liis  mind,  and  a  necessity 
ia  the  frame  of  liis  body,  the  stars  of  natural  inclination 
are  sometimes  obscured  by  Ibe  sun  of  discipline  and 
virtue;  therefore  it  is  good  to  consider  of  deformity, 
not  as  a  sign  which  is  more  deceivable,  but  as  a  cause 
which  seldom  faileth  of  tlie  effect.  Whosoever  hath 
anything  fixed  in  his  person  that  doth  not  induce  con- 
tempt, hath  also  a  perpetual  spur  iu  lumself  to  secure 
and  deliver  himself  from  scorn;  therefore,  all  deformed 
persons  are  extreme  bold;  first,  as  in  their  own  defense, 
as  being  exposed  to  scorn,  but  in  process  of  time  by  a 
general  habit.  Also  it  stirreth  iu  them  industry,  and 
especially  of  this  kind,  to  watch  and  observe  the  weak- 
ness of  others,  that  they  may  liave  somewhat  to  repay. 
Again,  in  their  superiors,  it  quencheth  jealousj'^  towards 
tliem,  as  persons  that  they  think  they  m;iy  at  pleasure 
despise:  and  it  layeth  their  competitors  and  emulators 
asleep,  as  never  believing  tliey  should  be  in  possibility 
of  advancement  till  they  see  them  in  possession;  so  that 
\ipon  the  matter,  in  a  great  wit,  deformity  is  an  advan- 
tage to  rising.  Kings  in  ancient  times  (and  at  this  pres- 
ent in  some  countries)  were  wont  to  put  great  ti'ust  in 
eunuchs,  because  they  that  are  envious  towards  all  are 
more  obnoxious  and  officious  towards  one;  but  yet  their 
trust  towards  them  hath  rather  been  as  to  good  spials.* 
and  good  whisperers,  than  good  magistrates  and  offi- 
cers: and  much  like  is  the  reason  of  deformed  persons. 
Still  the  ground  is,  they  will,  if  they  be  of  spirit,  seek 
to  free  themselves  from  scorn:  whicli  must  be  either  by 
virtue  or  malice;  and,  therefore,  let  it  not  be  marvelled, 
if  sometimes  they  prove  excellent  persons;  as  was  Ages- 
ilails,  Zanger  the  son  of  Solyman.f  ^^op,  Gasca  presi- 


*  Spies.         t  Solyman  the  Magnificent,  Sultan  of  the  Turks. 


OF  BUILDING.  150 

dent  of  Peru;  and  Socrates  may  go  likewise  amongst 
tbem,  with  otliers. 

XLV.— OF  BUILDING. 

Houses  are  built  to  live  in,  and  not  to  look  on;  tliere- 
fore  let  use  be  preferred  before  uniformit}',  except  where 
both  may  be  had.  Leave  the  goodly  fabrics  of  houses, 
for  beauty  only,  to  the  enchanted  palaces  of  the  poets, 
who  build  them  with  small  cost.  He  that  builds  a  fair 
house  upon  an  ill  seat,*  commilteth  himself  to  prison: 
neither  do  I  reckon  it  an  ill  seat  only  where  the  air  is 
unwholesome,  but  likewise  where  the  air  is  unequal;  as 
you  shall  see  many  fine  seats  set  upon  a  knapf  of 
ground,  environed  with  higher  hills  round  about  it, 
whereby  the  lieat  of  the  sun  is  pent  in.  and  the  wind 
gathcreth  as  in  troughs;  so  as  you  shall  have,  and  that 
suddenly,  as  great  diversity  of  heat  and  cold  as  if  you 
dwelt  in  several  places.  Neither  is  it  ill  air  only  that; 
maketh  an  ill  seat;  but  ill  ways,  ill  markets,  and,  if  you 
will  consult  with  Momus.J  ill  neighbors.  I  speak  not 
of  many  more;  want  of  water,  want  of  wood,  shade, 
and  shelter,  want  of  fruitfulness,  and  mixture  of 
grounds  of  several  natures;  want  of  prospect,  want 
of  level  grounds,  want  of  places  at  some  near  distance 
for  sports  of  hunting,  hawking,  and  races;  loo  near  the 
sea,  too  remote;  having  the  commodity  of  navigable 
rivers,  or  the  discommodity  of  their  overflowing:  too 
far  off  from  the  great  cities,  which  may  bidder  business; 
or  too  near  them,  which  lurchethg  all  provision  and 

•  Site.  t  Knoll. 

$  Having  a  liking  for  cheerful  society.    Momus  being  the  god 
of  mirih. 
S  Eats  up. 


160  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

maketh  everything  dear;  where  a  man  hath  a  great  liv- 
ing laid  together;  and  where  he  is  scanted;  all  which, 
as  it  is  impossible  perhaps  to  find  together,  so  it  is  good 
to  know  them,  and  think  of  them,  that  a  man  may  take 
as  many  as  he  can;  and  if  he  have  several  dwellings, 
that  he  sort  them  so,  that  what  he  wanteth  in  the  one 
he  may  find  in  the  other.  Lucullus  answered  Pompey 
well,  who,  when  he  saw  his  stately  galleries  and  rooms 
BO  large  and  lightsome,  in  one  of  his  houses,  said; 
"Surely  an  excellent  place  for  summer,  but  how  do 
j'ou  in  winter  ?"  Lucullus  answered,  "  Wlij'',  do  you 
not  think  me  as  wise  as  some  fowls  are,  that  ever 
change  their  abode  towards  the  winter?" 

To  ptiss  from  the  seat  to  the  house  itself,  we  will 
do  as  Cicero  doth  in  the  orator's  art,  who  writes  books 
De  Oratore,  and  a  book  he  entitles  Orator;  whereof  the 
former  delivers  the  precepts  of  the  art,  and  the  latter 
the  perfection.  We  will  therefore  describe  a  princely 
palace,  making  a  brief  model  thereof;  for  it  is  strange 
to  see,  now  in  Europe,  such  huge  buildings  as  the  Vati- 
can and  Escurial,*  and  some  others  be,  and  yet  scarce  a 
.very  fair  room  in  them. 

First,  therefore,  I  say,  you  cannot  have  a  perfect 
palace,  except  you  have  two  several  sides;  a  side  for 
the  banquet,  as  is  spoken  of  in  the  book  of  Esther,f  and 
a  side  for  the  household ;  the  one  for  feasts  and  triumphs, 
and  the  other  for  dwelling.  I  \inderstand  both  these 
sides  to  be  not  only  returns,  but  parts  of  the  front;  and 
to  be  uniforin  without,   though  severally  partitioned 

*  A  vast  edifice,  about  twenty  miles  from  Madrid,  founded  by 
Philip  II. 

t  Esth.  i.  5:  "  The  kin}?  made  a  feast  unto  all  the  people  that 
were  present  in  Shushaii  the  palace,  both  unto  great  and  small, 
seven  days,  in  the  court  of  the  garden  of  the  King's  palace." 


OF  BUILDING.  161 

within;  and  to  be  on  both  sides  of  a  great  and  stately 
tower  in  the  midst  of  the  front,  that  as  it  were  joineth 
tiiem  together  on  either  hand.  I  would  have,  on  the 
side  of  tiie  banquet  iu  front,  one  only  goodly  room 
above  stairs,  of  some  forty  foot  liigh;  and  under  it  a 
room  for  a  dressing  or  preparing  place,  at  times  of 
triumphs.  On  the  other  side,  which  is  the  household 
side,  I  wish  it  divided  at  the  tirst  into  a  hall  and  a 
chapel,  with  a  partition  between),  both  of  good  state  and 
bigness;  and  those  not  to  go  all  the  length,  but  to  have 
at  the  further  end  a  winter  and  a  summer  parlor,  both 
fair;  and  under  these  rooms  a  fair  and  large  cellar  sunk 
under  ground:  and  likewise  some  privy  kitchens,  with 
butteries  and  pantries,  and  the  like.  As  for  the  tower, 
I  would  have  it  two  stories,  of  eighteen  foot  high  apiece 
above  the  two  wings;  and  a  goodl}'  leads  upon  the  top, 
railed  with  statues  interposed;  and  the  same  tower  to 
be  divided  into  rooms,  as  shall  be  thought  fit.  The 
stairs  likewise  to  the  upper  rooms,  let  them  be  upon  a 
fair  open  newel,*  and  finely  railed  in  with  inuiges  of 
wood  cast  into  a  brass  color;  and  a  very  fair  landing- 
place  at  the  top.  But  this  to  be,  if  you  do  not  point 
any  of  the  lower  rooms  for  a  dining-place  of  servants; 
for,  otherwise,  you  shall  have  the  servants'  dinner  after 
your  own:  for  the  steam  of  it  will  come  up  as  in  a 
tunnel. f  And  so  much  for  the  front:  onl}'  I  understand 
the  height  of  the  first  stairs  to  be  sixteen  foot,  which  is 
the  height  of  the  lower  room. 

Beyond  this  front  is  there  to  be  a  fair  court,  but  three 
sides  of  it  of  a  far  lower  building  than  the  front;  and  in 


*  The  cylinder  formed  by  the  small  end  of  the  steps  of  wiadiog 
stairs. 
+  The  funnel  of  a  chimney. 


163  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

all  Ibe  four  corners  of  that  court  fair  staircases,  cast 
into  turrets  on  the  outside,  and  not  within  the  row  of 
buildings  themselves:  but  those  towers  are  not  to  be 
of  the  heiglit  of  the  front,  but  rather  proportionable  to 
the  lower  building.  Let  the  court  not  be  paved,  for 
that  striketh  up  a  great  heat  in  summer,  and  much  cold 
in  winter:  but  only  some  side  alleys  with  a  cross,  and 
the  quartet's  to  graze,  being  kept  shorn,  but  not  too  near 
shorn.  The  row  of  return  on  the  banquet  side,  let  it  be 
all  stately  galleries:  in  which  galleries  let  there  be  three 
or  five  fine  cupolas  in  the  length  of  it,  placed  at  equal 
distance,  and  fine  colored  windows  of  several  works: 
on  the  household  side,  chambers  of  presence  and  ordi- 
nary entertainments,  with  some  bed  chambers:  and  let 
all  three  sides  he  a  double  house,  without  thorough 
lights  on  the  sides,  that  you  may  have  rooms  from  the 
sun,  both  for  forenoon  and  afternoon.  Cjist  it  also,  that 
you  may  have  rooms  both  for  summer  and  winter; 
shady  for  summer,  and  warm  for  winter.  You  shall 
have  sometimes  fair  houses  so  full  of  glass,  that  one 
cannot  tell  where  to  become  *  to  be  out  of  the  sun  or 
cold.  For  inbowedf  windows,  I  hold  them  of  good 
use  (in  cities,  indeed,  upright  J  do  better,  in  respect  of 
the  uniformity  towards  the  street);  for  they  be  pretty 
retiring  places  for  conference;  and  besides,  they  keep 
both  the  wind  and  sun  off;  for  that  which  would  strike 
almost  through  the  room  doth  scarce  pass  the  window: 
but  let  them  be  but  few,  four  in  the  court,  on  the  sides 
only. 

Beyond  this  court,  let  there  be  an  inward  court,  of 
the  same  square  and  height,  which  is  to  be  environed 


*  Wliere  to  go.  +  Bow,  or  bay  windows. 

t  Flush  with  the  wall. 


OF  BUJLDINO.  163 

with  the  garden  on  all  sides ;  and  in  the  inside,  cloistered 
on  all  sides  upon  decent  and  beautiful  arches,  as  high- 
as  the  first  story:  on  the  under  story  towards  the  garden, 
let  it  be  turned  to  grotto,  or  place  of  shade,  or  estivation ; 
and  only  have  opening  and  windows  towards  the  gar- 
den, and  be  level  upon  the  floor,  no  whit  sunk  under 
ground,  to  avoid  all  dampishuess :  and  let  there  be  a 
fountain,  or  some  fair  work  of  statues  in  the  midst  of 
thi^5  court,  and  to  be  paved  as  the  other  court  was. 
These  buildings  to  be  for  privy  lodgings  on  both  sides, 
and  the  end  for  privy  galleries;  whereof  you  must  for- 
see  that  one  of  them  be  for  an  iufirmar}',  if  the  prince 
or  any  special  pei-son  siiould  be  sick,  with  chambers, 
bed-chamber,  "  anlicumeni,"  *  and  "rccamera,"f  join 
iug  to  it;  thus  upon  the  second  story.  Upon  the  ground 
story,  a  fair  gallery,  open,  upon  pillars;  and  upon  the 
third  stor}',  likewise  an  open  gallery  upon  pillars,  to 
take  the  prospect  and  freshness  of  tl»e  garden.  At  both 
corners  of  the  further  side,  b}-  way  of  return,  let  there 
be  two  delicate  or  rich  cabinets,  daintily  paved,  richly 
hanged,  glazed  with  crystalline  glass,  and  a  rich  cupola 
in  the  midst;  and  all  other  elegancy  that  can  be  thought 
upon.  In  the  upi>er  gallery,  too,  1  wish  that  there  may 
be,  if  the  place  will  yield  it,  some  fountains  running  in 
(livers  places  from  the  wall,  with  some  fine  avoidances.  % 
And  thus  much  for  the  model  of  the  palace;  save  that 
you  must  have,  before  you  come  to  the  front,  three 
courts;  a  green  court  plain,  with  a  wail  about  it;  a 
second  court  of  the  same,  but  more  garnished  with 
little  turrets,  or  rather  embellishments,  upon  the  wall; 
and  a  third  court,  to  make  a  square  with  the  front,  but 
not  to  be  built,  nor  yet  enclosed  with  a  naked  wall,  but 

*  Anti-chamber.       t  Witfadrawiug-room.       %  Watercourses. 


164  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

enclosed  with  terraces  leaded  aloft,  and  fairly  garnlslicd 
on  the  three  sides;  and  cloistered  on  the  inside  with 
pillars,  and  not  with  arches  below.  As  for  offices,  let 
Ihem  stand  at  distance,  with  some  low  galleries  to  pass 
from  them  to  the  palace  itself. 

XL VI.— OF  GARDENS. 

God  Almighty  first  planted  a  garden;  and,  indeed  it 
is  the  purest  of  human  pleasures;  it  is  the  greatest  re- 
freshment to  the  spirits  of  raan;  without  which  build- 
ings and  palaces  are  but  gross  handy-works:  and  a  man 
shall  ever  see,  that,  when  ages  grow  to  civility  and 
elegancy,  men  come  to  build  stately,  sooner  than  to 
garden  finely;  as  if  gardening  were  the  greater  per- 
fection. 1  do  hold  it  in  the  royal  ordering  of  gardens, 
there  ought  to  be  gaidens  for  all  the  months  in  the 
year,  in  which,  severall}',  things  of  beauty  may  be  then 
in  season.  For  December,  and  January,  and  the  latter 
part  of  November,  you  must  take  such  things  as  are 
green  all  winter:  holly,  ivy,  ba3'S,  juniper,  cypress  tree, 
yew.  pineapple-trees;*  fir-trees,  rosemary,  lavender; 
periwinkle,  the  white,  the  purple,  and  the  blue;  ger- 
mander, flags,  orange-trees,  lemon-trees,  and  myrtles,  if 
lliey  be  stoved ;  f  and  sweet  marjoram,  warm  set.  There 
followeth,  for  the  latter  part  of  January  and  Febniary, 
the  mezereon-tree,  which  then  blossoms:  crocus  vernus, 
both  the  yellow  and  the  grey;  primroses,  anemones,  the 
early  tulip,  the  hyacinthus  orientalis,  chamai'ris  fritel- 
laria.  For  March,  there  comes  violets,  especially  the 
single  blue,  which  are  the  earliest;  the  yellow  daffodil, 
the  daisy,  the  almond-tree  in  blossom,  the  peach-tree  in 

*  Pine-trees.  t  Kept  warm  in  a  greenhouse. 


OF  GARDENS.  165 

blossom,  the  coruclian-trce  in  blossom,  sweet  brinr.  In 
Ai)ril  follow  the  double  Avhite  violet,  the  wall-flower, 
the  stock-gill illower,  the  cowslip,  llower-de-luccs,  and 
lilies  of  all  natures;  rosemary-flowers,  the  tulip,  the 
double  peony,  the  pale  daffodil,  the  French  honeysuckle, 
the  cherry-tree  in  blossom,  the  damascene*  and  plum- 
trees  in  blossoms,  the  white  thorn  in  leaf,  the  lilac-tree. 
In  Maj'  and  June  come  pinks  of  all  sorts,  specially  the 
blush-pink;  roses  of  all  kinds,  except  the  musk,  which 
comes  later;  hone)'sucklcs,  strawl>crries,  bugloss,  colum- 
bine, the  French  marygold,  flos  Africanus,  cherrj'-tree 
in  fruit,  ribes,  f  figs  in  fruit,  i-asps,  vine-flowers,  laven- 
der in  flowei-s,  the  sweet  satyrian,  with  the  white  flower; 
herba  muscaria,  lilium  convallium,  the  npple-tree  in 
blossom.  In  July  come  gilliflowers  of  all  varieties, 
musk-roses,  the  lime-tree  in  blossom,  early  pears,  and 
plums  in  fruit,  genitings,  X  codlins.  In  August  come 
plums  of  all  sorts  in  fruit,  pears,  apricots,  barberries, 
filberts,  musk-melons,  monks-hoods  of  all  colors.  In 
September  come  grapes,  apples,  poppies  of  all  colors, 
pejiches,  melocotoues,  §  nectarines,  cornelians,  |  war- 
dens, T[  quinces.  In  October,  and  the  beginning  of 
November  comes  services,  medlars,  bullaces,  roses  cut 
or  removed  to  come  late,  hollyoaks,  and  such  like. 
These  particulars  are  for  the  climate  of  London ;  but 
my  meaning  is  perceived,  that  you  may  have  "  ver  per- 
petuura,"**  as  the  place  affords, 

♦  The  damson,  or  phim  of  Damascus.  t  Currants. 

X  An  apple  that  is  gathered  verj'  early. 

$  A  kind  of  quince,  so  called  from  "  cotoueum,"  or  "  cydonlum," 
the  Latin  name  of  the  quince. 

I  The  fruit  of  the  cornel-tree. 

^  The  warden  was  a  large  pear,  so  called  from  its  keeping  well. 
Wardeu-pie  was  formerly  much  esteemed  in  England. 

•*  Perpetual  spring. 


166  BACON'S  ESSAi'S. 

And  because  the  breatli  of  flowers  is  far  sweeter  in 
the  air  (where  it  comes  and  goes,  like  the  warbling  of 
rousic),  than  in  the  hand,  therefore  nothing  is  more  fit 
for  that  delight,  than  to  know  what  be  the  flowers  and 
plants  that  do  best  perfume  the  air.     Roses,  damask 
and  red,  are  fast  flowers  *  of  their  smells;  so  that  you 
may  walk  by  a  wliole  row  of  them,  and  find  nothing  of 
their  sweetness;  yea,  though  it  be  in  a  morning's  dew. 
Bays,  likewise,  yield  no  smell  as  they  grow,  rosemary 
little,  nor  sweet  marjoram;  that  which,  above  all  others, 
yields    the  sweetest  smell  in    the  air,  is    the    violet, 
especially  the  white  double  violet,  which  comes  twice  a 
year,  about  middle  of  April,  and  about  Bartholomew 
tide.     Next  to  that  is  the  musk-rose;  then  the  straw- 
berry leaves  dying,  with  a  most  excellent  cordial  smell; 
then  the  flower  of  the  vines,  it  is  a  little  dust  like  the 
dust  of  a  beut,f  w  hich  grows  upon  the  cluster  in  the 
first  coming  forth;  then  sweet-briar,  then  wall-flowers, 
which  are  ver}-  delightful  to  be  set  upon  a  parlor  or 
lower  chamber  window;    then  pinks  and  gilliflowers, 
specially  the  matted  pink  and  clove  gilliflower;  then  the 
flowers  of  the  lime-tree;  tlien  tlie  honeysuckles,  so  they 
he  somewhat  afar  off.     Of  bean-flowers  X  I  speak  not, 
I  because  they  are  field  flowers;  but  those  which  perfume 
the  air  most  delighfully,  not  passed  by  as  the  rest,  but 
l)eing  trodden  upon   and  crushed,  are  three;   that  is, 
burnet,  wild  thyme,  and  water-mints;  therefore  you  are 
to  set  whole  allej-^s  of  them,  to  have  the  pleasure  when 
you  walk  or  tread. 

For  gardens   (speaking  of  those  which  are  indeed 


*  Flowers  that  do  not  send  forth  their  smell  at  any  distance. 
t  A  species  of  ^ass  of  the  genus  argostia. 
t  The  blossoms  of  the  bean. 


OF  OAIWENS.  167 

prince-like,  as  wc  have  done  of  buildings),  the  contents 
ought  not  well  to  be  under  thirty  acres  of  ground,  and 
to  be  dividud  uilo  three  parts;  a  greeu  in  the  entrance, 
a  heath,  or  desert,  in  the  going  forth,  and  the  main 
giirdeu  in  the  midst,  besides  alleys  ou  both  sides;  aud  I 
like  well,  that  four  acres  of  ground  be  assigned  to  the 
green,  six  to  the  heath,  four  aud  four  to  either  side,  and 
twelve  to  the  main  garden.  The  green  hath  two 
pleasures:  tiie  one,  heciiuse  nothing  is  n)ore  pleasant  (o 
tiie  eye  than  green  grass  kept  finely  shorn;  the  other, 
because  it  will  give  you  a  fair  alley  in  the  midst,  by 
wliicii  you  may  go  in  front  upon  a  stalely  hedge,  which 
is  to  ench)se  the  garden;  but  because  the  alley  will  be 
long,  and  in  great  heat  of  the  year,  or  day,  j'ou  ought 
not  to  buy  the  shade  in  the  garden  by  going  in  the  sua 
through  the  green,  therefore  you  are,  of  either  side  the 
green,  to  plaut  a  covert  alley,  upon  carpenter's  work, 
ab  )ut  twelve  foot  in  heiglit,  by  which  you  may  go  in 
siiade  into  the  garden.  As  for  tiie  making  of  knots,  or 
figures,  with  divers  colored  earths,  that  they  may  lie 
under  the  windows  of  the  house  on  that  side  which  the 
garden  stands,  they  be  but  toys;  you  may  see  as  good 
sights  many  times  in  tarts.  The  garden  is  best  to  be 
square,  encompassed  on  all  the  four  sides  with  a  stately 
arched  hedge,  the  arches  to  be  upon  pillars  of  carpen- 
ter's work,  of  some  ten  foot  high,  and  six  foot  broad, 
and  the  spaces  between  of  the  same  dimension  with  the 
breadth  of  the  arch.  Over  the  arches  let  there  be  an 
entire  hedge  of  some  four  foot  high,  framed  also  upon 
carpenter's  work;  and  upon  the  upper  hedge,  over  every 
arcli,  a  little  turret,  with  a  belly  enough  to  receive  a 
cage  of  birds:  and  over  every  space  l)etween  the  arches 
some  oilier  little  flgiue,  with  broad  plates  of  round 
colored  glass  gilt,  for  the  sun  to  play  upon:  but  this 


168  n AGON'S  ESSAYS. 

hedge,  I  intend  to  be  raised  upon  a  bank,  not  steep  but 
gently  slope,  of  some  six  foot,  set  all  with  flowers.  Also 
I  understand,  that  this  square  of  the  garden  should  not 
be  the  whole  breadth  of  the  ground,  but  to  leave  on 
either  side  ground  enough  for  diversity  of  side  allej's, 
unto  which  the  two  covert  alleys  of  the  green  ninj'- 
deliver  you,*  but  there  must  be  no  alleys  with  hedges 
ateitherend  of  this  great  enclosure;  notat  the  hither  end, 
for  letting  f  your  prospect  upon  this  fair  hedge  from  the 
green;  nor  at  the  further  end,  for  letting  your  prospect 
from  the  hedge  througli  the  arches  upon  heath. 

For  the  ordering  of  the  ground  within  the  great 
hedge,  I  leave  it  to  variety  of  device;  advising,  never- 
theless, that  whatsoever  form  you  cast  it  into  first,  it  be 
not  too  bushy,  or  full  of  work :  wherein  I,  for  mj'  part, 
do  not  like  images  cut  out  in  juniper  or  other  garden 
stuff;  they  be  for  children.  Little  low  hedges,  round 
like  welts,  with  some  pretty  pyramids,  I  like  well ;  and 
in  some  places  fair  columns,  upon  frames  of  carpenter's 
work.  I  would  also  have  the  allej's  spacious  and  fair. 
You  may  have  closer  alleys  upon  the  side  grounds,  but 
none  in  the  main  garden.  I  wish  also,  in  the  very 
middle,  a  fair  mount,  with  three  ascents  and  alleys, 
enough  for  four  to  walk  abreast;  which  I  would  have 
to  be  perfect  circles,  without  any  bulwarks  or  emboss- 
ments; and  the  whole  mount  to  be  thirty  foot  high, 
and  some  fine  banqueting-house  with  some  chimneys 
neatly  cast,  and  without  too  much  glass. 

For  fountains,  they  are  a  great  beauty  and  refresh- 
ment; but  pools  mar  all,  and  make  the  garden  unwhole- 
some and  full  of  flies  and  frogs.  Fountains  I  intend  to 
be  of  two  natures:  the  one  that  sprinkleth  or  spoulelh 

♦  Bring  or  lead  .you.  t  Impeding. 


OF  GARDENS.  169 

water:  the  other  a  fair  reciptof  v/ater,  of  some  thirty  or 
forty  foot  square,  but  without  fish,  or  slime,  or  mud. 
For  the  first,  the  oruaraeuts  of  images,  gilt  or  of  marble, 
which  are  iu  use,  do  well :  but  the  maiu  matter  is  so  to 
convey  the  water,  as  it  never  stay,  either  in  the  bowls 
or  in  the  cistern:  that  the  water  be  never  by  rest  dis- 
colored, green,  or  red,  or  the  like,  or  gather  any  mossi- 
ness or  putrefaction;  besides  that,  it  is  to  be  cleaned 
every  day  by  tlie  hand:  also  some  steps  up  to  it,  and 
some  fine  pavement  about  it  doth  well.  As  for  the  other 
kind  of  fountain,  which  we  may  call  a  bathing  pool,  it 
may  admit  much  curiosity  and  beauty,  wherewith  we 
will  not  trouble  ourselves:  as,  that  the  bottom  be  finely 
paved,  and  with  images:  the  sides  likewise;  and  witiial 
eml>ellished  with  colored  glass,  and  such  things  of  lustre; 
encompassed  also  with  fine  rails  of  low  statues:  but  the 
main  point  is  the  same  which  we  mentioned  in  the 
former  kind  of  fountain ;  which  is,  that  the  water  be  in 
perpetual  motion,  fed  by  a  water  higher  tlian  the  pool, 
and  delivered  into  it  by  fair  spouts,  and  then  discharged 
away  under  ground,  by  some  equality  of  bores,  that  it 
stay  little:  and  for  fine  devices,  of  arching  water* 
without  spilling,  and  making  it  rise  in  several  forms 
(of  feathers,  drinking-glasses,  canopies,  and  the  like); 
they  be  pretty  things  to  look  on,  but  nothing  to  health 
and  sweetness. 

For  the  heath,  which  was  the  third  part  of  our  plot, 
I  wish  it  to  be  framed  as  much  as  may  be  to  a  natural 
wildness.  Trees  I  would  have  none  in  it,  but  some 
thickets  made  only  of  s%veet- briar  and  honej'suckle,  and 
some  wild   vine  amongst;    and  the  ground  set  with 


*  Causing  the  water  to  fall  in  a  perfect  arch,  without  any  spray 
escaping  from  the  jet. 


170  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

violets,  strawberries,  aud  primroses;  for  these  are  sweet, 
and  prosper  in  tiie  sliade;  and  tliese  to  be  in  the  heath 
here  and  there,  not  in  any  order.  I  like  also  little  heaps, 
in  the  nature  of  mole-liills  (such  as  are  in  wild  heaths),  to 
be  set,  some  with  wild  tlij'me,  some  with  pinks,  some 
with  germander,  that  gives  a  good  flower  to  tlie  eye ;  some 
with  periwinkle,  some  with  violets,  some  with  strawber- 
ries, some  with  cowslips,  some  with  daisies,  some  with 
red  roses, some  with  lilium  convallium,*some  witli  sweet- 
Will  iams  red,  some  with  bear's-foot,  and  the  like  low 
flowers,  being  withal  sweet  and  sightly;  part  of  which 
heaps  to  be  with  standards  of  little  bushes  pricked  upon 
their  top,  and  part  without :  the  standards  to  be  roses, 
juniper,  holly,  barberries  (but  here  and  there,  because  of 
the  smell  of  their  blossoms),  red  currants,  gooseberries, 
rosemary,  bays,  sweet-briar,  and  such  like:  but  these 
standards  to  be  kept  with  cutting,  that  they  grow  not 
out  of  course. 

For  the  side  grounds,  you  are  to  fill  them  with 
variety  of  alleys,  private,  to  give  a  full  shade;  some 
of  them,  wheresoever  the  sun  be.  You  are  to  frame 
some  of  them  likewise  for  shelter,  that  when  the  wind 
blows  sharp,  you  may  w^alk  as  in  a  gallery:  and  those 
alleys  must  be  likewise  hedged  at  both  ends,  to  keep 
out  the  wind;  and  these  closer  alleys  must  be  ever 
finely  gravelled,  and  no  grass,  because  of  going  wet. 
In  many  of  these  alleys,  likewise,  you  are  to  set 
fruit-trees  of  all.  sorts,  as  well  as  upon  the  walls  as 
in  ranges,f  and  this  should  be  generally  observed,  that 
the  borders  wherein  you  plant  your  fruit-trees  be 
fair,  and  large,  and  low,  and  not  steep;  and  set  with  fine 
flowei's,but  thin  and  sparingly,  lest  they  deceive  |  tiie 

•  Lilies  of  the  valley.  t  In  rows. 

i  lusidionsly  substract  nourishment  from. 


OF  OARDEXS.  171 

trees.  At  the  end  of  both  the  side  grounds  I  would 
have  a  mount  of  some  pretty  height,  leaving  the  wall 
of  the  enclosure  breast-high,  to  look  abroad  into  the 
fields. 

For  the  main  garden  I  do  not  deny  but  there  should 
be  some  fair  alleys  ranged  on  both  sides,  with  fruit- 
trees,  and  some  pretty  tufts  of  fruit-trees  and  arbors 
with  seats,  set  in  some  decent  order;  but  these  to  be 
by  no  means  set  too  thick,  but  to  leave  the  main  gar- 
den so  as  it  be  not  close,  but  the  air  open  and  free. 
For  as  for  shade,  I  would  have  you  rest  upon  tiie  alleys 
of  the  side  grounds,  there  to  walk,  if  you  be  disposed, 
in  the  heat  of  the  year  or  day;  but  to  make  account* 
that  the  main  garden  is  for  the  more  temperate  parts 
of  the  year,  and,  in  the  heat  of  summer  for  the  morn- 
ing and  the  evening  or  overcast  days. 

For  aviaries,  I  like  tliem  not,  except  they  be  of  th.nt 
largeness  as  they  may  he  turfted,  and  have  living  plants 
and  bushes  set  in  tliem;  that  the  birds  maj'  have  more 
scope  and  natural  nestling,  and  that  no  foulness  appear 
in  the  floor  of  the  aviary.  So  I  have  made  a  platform 
of  a  princely  garden,  partly  by  precept,  partly  by  draw- 
ing; not  a  model,  but  some  general  lines  of  it;  and  in 
this  I  have  spared  for  no  cost:  but  it  is  nothing  for 
great  princes,  that  for  the  most  part  taking  advice  with 
workmen  with  no  less  cost  set  their  things  together, 
and  sometimes  add  statues  and  such  things,  for  state 
and  magnificence,  but  nothing  to  the  true  pleasure  of  a 
garden. 

♦  To  consider  or  exx>ect. 


173  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 


XLVII— OF  NEGOTIATING. 

It  is  generally  better  to  deal  by  Bpeecb  than  by  letter, 
and  by  the  meditation  of  a  third  than  by  a  man's  self. 
Letters  are  good,  when  a  man  would  draw  an  answer 
by  letter  back  again;  or  when  it  may  serve  for  a  man's 
justification  afterwards  to  produce  his  own  letter;  or 
where  it  may  be  danger  to  be  interrupted,  or  heard  by 
pieces.    To  deal  in  person  is  good,  when  a  man's  face 
breedeth  regard,  as  commonly  with  inferiors;  or  in  ten- 
der cases  where  a  man's  eye  upon  the  countenance  of 
him  with  whom  he  speaketh,  may  give  him  a  direction 
how  far  to  go  :  and  generally  where  a  man  will  reserve 
to  himself  liberty,  either  to  disavow  or  to  expound.     In 
choice  of  instruments,  it  is  better  to  choose  men  of  a 
plainer  sort,  that  are  like  to  do  that,  that  is  committed 
to  them,  and  to  report  back  again  faithfully  the  suc- 
cess, than  those  that  are  cunning  to  contrive  out  of 
other  men's  business  somewhat  to  grace  themselves, 
and  will  help  the  matter  in  report,  for  satisfaction  sake. 
Use  also  such  persons  as  affect  *  the  business  wherein 
they  are  employed,  for  that  quickeneth  much ;  and  such 
as  are  fit  for  the  matter,  as  bold  men  for  expostulation, 
fair-spoken  men  for  persuasion,  crafty  men  for  inquiry 
and  observation,  froward  and  absurd  men  for  business 
that  doth  not  well  bear  out  itself.    Use  also  such  as  have 
been  lucky  and  prevailed  before  in  things  wherein  j^ou 
have  employed  them ;  for  that  breeds  confidence,  and  they 
will  strive  to  maintain  their  prescription.     It  is  better  to 
sound  a  person  with  whom  one  deals  afar  off,  than  to  fall 
upon  the  point  at  first,  except  you  mean  to  surprise  him 
by  some  short  question.     It  is  better  dealing  with  men 

*  Love,  are  pleased  with. 


OF  FOLLOWERS  AND  HilENDS.         173 

in  appetite,*  than  with  those  that  are  where  they  would 
be.  If  a  man  deal  witli  anotlier  upon  conditions,  the 
start  of  first  performance  is  all:  which  a  man  cannot 
reasonably  demand,  except  either  tlie  nature  of  the 
thing  be  sucii,  which  must  go  before:  or  else  a  man  can 
persuade  tlie  otlier  party,  that  he  shall  still  need  him  in 
some  other  thing;  or  else  that  he  be  counted  the  lion, 
ester  man.  All  practice  is  to  discover,  or  to  work. 
Men  discover  themselves  in  trust,  in  passion,  at  un- 
awares; and  of  necessity,  when  they  would  have  some- 
what done,  and  cannot  find  an  apt  pretext.  If  you 
would  work  any  man,  you  must  either  know  his  nature 
and  fiishions,  and  so  lead  him;  or  his  ends,  and  so  per- 
suade him;  or  liis  weakr.ess  and  disadvantages,  and  so 
awe  him,  or  those  that  have  interest  in  him,  and  so 
and  so  govern  him.  In  dealing  with  cunning  persons, 
Ave  must  ever  consider  their  ends,  to  interpret  their 
speeches;  and  it  is  good  to  say  little  to  them,  and  that 
which  they  least  look  for.  In  all  negotiations  of  diffi- 
culty, a  man  may  not  look  to  sow  and  reap  at  once; 
but  must  prepare  business,  and  so  ripen  it  by  degrees. 


XLVIIL— OF  FOLLOWERS  AND  FRIENDS. 

Costly  followers  are  not  to  be  liked;  lest  while  a  man 
niakcth  his  train  longer,  he  make  his  wings  shorter.  I 
reckon  to  be  cosily,  not  them  alone  which  charge  the 
purse,  but  which  are  wearisome  and  importune  in 
Biiils.  Ordinary  followers  ought  to  challenge  no  higher 
conditions  than  countenance,  recommendation,  and  pro- 

*  It  is  more  advantageous  to  deal  with  men  whose  desires  are 
not  yet  satisfied  than  with  those  who  have  pained  all  they  have 
wished  for,  and  are  Ukely  to  be  proof  against  inducements. 


174  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

tection  from  ^rrongs.  Factions  followers  are  worse  to 
be  liked,  which  follow  not  upon  affection  to  him  with 
whom  they  range  themselves,  but  upton  discontentment 
conceired  against  some  other;  whereupon  commonly 
ensuetb  that  ill  intelligence,  that  we  many  times  see 
between  great  personages.  Likewise  glorious  *  follow- 
ers, who  make  themselTes  as  trumpets  of  the  commen- 
dation of  those  they  follow,  are  full  of  inconyeniences, 
for  tbey  taint  business  through  want  of  secrecy ;  and 
they  export  honor  from  a  man  and  make  him  a  return 
in  envy.  There  is  a  kind  of  followers,  likewise,  which 
are  dangerous,  being  indeed  espials:  which  inquire  the 
secrets  of  the  house,  and  bear  tales  of  them  to  others; 
yet  such  men,  many  times,  are  in  great  favor-,  for  they 
are  officious,  and  commonly  exchange  tales.  The  fol- 
lowing by  certain  estates  f  of  men  answerable  to  that 
which  a  great  person  himself  professeth  (as  of  soldiers 
to  him  that  hath  been  employed  in  the  wars,  and  the 
like)  hath  ever  been  a  thing  civil  and  well  taken  even 
in  monarehies,  so  it  be  without  too  much  pomp  or  pop- 
ularity, but  the  most  honorable  kind  of  following,  is 
to  be  followed  as  one  that  apprehendetb  to  advance 
virtue  and  desert  in  all  sorts  of  persons;  and  yet,  where 
there  is  no  eminent  odds  in  sufficiency  it  is  better  to 
take  with  the  more  passable,  than  wiih  the  more  able; 
and  besides,  to  speak  truth  in  base  times,  active  mea 
are  of  more  use  than  virtuous.  It  is  true,  that  in  gov- 
ernment, it  is  good  to  use  men  of  one  rank  equally :  for 
to  countenance  some  extraordinarily,  is  to  make  them 
insolent  and  the    rest  discontent;  because  they  may 


*  In  the  sense  of  the  Latin  "  gloriosus,"  "  boastful,"  "  bra^ 
gtag."' 
'*  Pi'ofetoiQBS  or  dmm 


OF  FOLLOWERS  AM)  FRIENDS.         175 

claim  a  due:  but  coDlr&riwise  in  favor,  to  use  men  with 
much  difference  and  election  is  good;  for  it  maketh  the 
persons  preferred  more  thankful,  and  the  rest  more 
officious:  Iwcausc  all  is  of  favor.  It  is  good  discretion 
not  to  make  too  much  of  SLDy  man  at  the  first ;  because 
one  cannot  hold  out  that  proportion.  To  be  governed 
(as  we  call  it)  by  one,  is  not  safe;  for  it  shows  softness,* 
and  gives  a  freedom  to  scandal  and  disreputation;  for 
tiiose  that  would  not  censure,  or  speak  ill  of  a  man  im- 
mediately, will  talk  more  boldly  of  those  that  are  so 
great  with  them,  and  thereby  wound  their  honor;  yet 
to  be  distracted  with  many,  is  worse;  for  it  makes  men 
to  be  of  the  last  impression,  and  full  of  change.  To 
take  advice  of  some  few  friends  is  over  honorable;  for 
lookers-on  many  times  see  more  than  gamesters;  and 
the  vale  best  discovereth  the  hill.  There  is  little  friend- 
ship in  the  world,  and  least  of  all  between  equals,  which 
was  wontf  to  be  magnified      That  that  is,  is  between 

*  WeaJcness  or  indecisioo  of  character. 

t  He  probably  alludes  to  the  ancient  stories  of  the  frieitdshl)} 
of  Orestes  and  Pylades,  Theseus  and  Pirithous,  Damon  and 
Pythias,  and  others,  and  the  maxims  of  the  ancient  Philosophers. 
ArMotie  ooosiden  that  equality  in  circvmstanoes  and  station  is 
one  teqoiate  of  friendship.  Seneca  and  Quintus  Curttas  ezpreas 
the  same  opinion.  It  seems  hardly  probable  that  Lord  Bacon 
teflected  deeply  when  he  penned  this  passage,  for  between 
equals,  jealousy,  the  most  insidious  of  all  the  enemies  of  friend- 
diip,  has  the  least  chance  of  originating.  Dr.  Johnson  says: 
*'  Friendaiiip  is  sridom  lasting  but  between  equals,  or  wh<ire  the 
superiority  on  one  side  is  reduced  by  some  equiTalent  advantage 
on  the  other.  Benefits  which  cannot  be  repaid,  and  ->bligattons 
which  canix>t  be  discharged,  are  not  commonly  found  to  in- 
crease affection;  they  excite  gratitude  indeed,  and  beignten 
▼eaeration,  but  commonlv  taice  awaf  that  eas>-  freedom  and 
familiarity  of  intercourse  without  which,  though  there  may  be 
fidelity,  and  seal,  and  adifltrataon,  there  cannot  be  friendship. — 
TheSambler.    No.  &L 


176  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

superior  and   inferior,*  whose  fortuues  may  compre- 
heud  the  one  the  other. 

XLIX.-OF  SUITORS. 

Many  ill  matters  and  projects  are  undertaken;  and 
private  suits  do  putrefy  the  public  good.  Many  good 
matters  are  undertaken  with  bad  minds;  I  mean  not 
only  corrupt  minds,  but  crafty  minds;  that  intend  not 
performance.  Some  embrace  suits,  which  never  mean 
to  deal  effectually  in  them;  but  if  they  see  there  maybe 
life  in  the  matter,  by  some  other  means  they  will  be 
content  to  win  a  thank,  or  take  a  second  reward,  or  at 
least,  to  make  use  in  the  mean  time  of  the  suitor's  hopes. 
Some  take  hold  of  suits  only  for  an  occasion  to  cross 
some  other,  or  to  make  an  information,  whereof  they 
could  not  otherwise  have  apt  pretext,  without  care  what 
become  of  the  suit  when  llint  turn  is  served ;  or,  generally 
to  make  other  men's  business  a  kind  of  entertainment 
to  bring  in  their  own:  nay,  some  undertake  suits 
•with  a  full  purpose  to  let  them  fall ;  to  the  end  to  grat- 
ify the  adverse  party,  or  competitor.  Surely  there  is 
in  some  sort  a  right  in  every  suit;  either  a  right  of 
equity,  if  it  be  a  suit  of  controversy,  or  a  riglit  of 
desert,  if  it  be  a  suit  of  petition.  If  affection  lend  a 
man  to  favor  the  wrong  side  in  justice,  let  him  ratlier 
use  his  countenance  to  compound  the  matter  than  to 
carry  it.  If  affection  lead  a  man  to  favor  the  less  wor- 
thy in  desert,  let  him  do  it  without  depraving*  or  dis- 
abling the  better  deserver.  In  suits  which  a  man  doth 
not  well  understand,  it  is  good  to  refer  them  to  some 

*  In  such  a  case,  gratitude  and  admiration  exist  on  the  on« 
hand,  esteem  and  confldence  on  the  other. 

*  Lowering,  or  humiliating. 


OF  SUITORS.  177 

friend  of  trust  aud  jiulgment,  that  may  report  whether 
he  may  deal  in  them  with  honor:  but  let  him  choose 
well  his  referendaries,*  for  else  lie  may  be  led  by  the 
nose.  Suitors  are  so  distasted  f  with  delays  and  abuses, 
that  plain  dealing  in  denying  to  deal  in  suits  at  first, 
and  reporting  the  success  barely,^:  and  in  challenging 
no  more  thanks  than  one  hath  deserved,  is  grown  not 
only  honorable  but  also  gracious.  In  suits  of  favor,  the 
first  coming  ought  to  take  little  place;  §  so  far  forth  || 
consideration  may  be  had  of  his  trust,  that  if  intelli- 
gence of  the  matter  could  not  otherwise  have  been  had 
but  by  him,  advantage  be  not  taken  of  the  note,^  but 
the  party  left  to  his  other  means;  and  in  some  sort  rec- 
ompensed for  his  discovery.  To  be  ignorant  of  the 
value  of  a  suit,  is  simplicity;  as  well  as  to  be  ignorant 
of  the  right  thereof,  is  want  of  conscience.  Secrecy  in 
suits  is  a  great  mean  cf  obtaining;  for  voicing  them  to 
be  in  forwardness  may  discourage  some  kind  of  suitors; 
but  doth  quicken  and  awake  others:  but  timing  of  the 
suit  is  the  principal;  timing  I  say  not  only  in  respect  of 
the  person  that  should  grant  it,  but  in  respect  of  those 
which  are  like  to  cross  it.  Let  a  man,  in  the  choice  of 
his  mean,  rather  choose  the  fittest  mean,  than  the  great- 
est mean;  and  rather  them  that  deal  in  certain  things, 
than  those  that  are  general.  The  reparation  of  a  denial 
is  sometimes  equal  to  the  first  grant,  if  a  man  show  him- 
self neither  dejected  nor  discontented.  "  Iniqimm  petas, 
ut  sequum  feras,"**  is  a  good  rule,  where  a  man  hath 

*  Referees.  t  Disgusted. 

t  Giving  no  false  color  to  the  degree  of  success  which  has  at- 
tended the  prosecution  of  the  suit. 

S  To  have  little  eflfect.  1  To  this  extent. 

1  Of  the  information. 

•*  "  Ask  what  is  exorbitant,  that  you  may  obtain  what  is  mod- 
erate." 


176  BACON'S  Ji^SSATS. 

strength  of  favor:  l)ut  otherwise  a  man  were  better  rise 
iu  his  suit;  for  he  that  would  have  ventured  at  first  to 
Jiave  lost  the  suitor,  will  not,  iu  the  conclusion,  lose 
both  the  suitor  and  his  own  former  favor.  Nothing  is 
thought  so  easy  a  request  to  a  great  person,  as  his  let- 
ter; and  yet,  if  it  be  not  in  a  good  cause,  it  is  so  much 
out  of  his  reputation.  There  are  no  worse  instruments 
than  these  general  contrivers  of  suits:  for  they  arc  but 
a  kind  of  poison  and  infection  to  public  proceedings. 

L.-OF  STUDIES.* 

Studies  serve  for  delight,  for  ornament,  and  for 
ability.  Their  chief  use  for  delight,  is  iu  privateness 
and  retiring:  for  ornament,  is  in  discourse;  and  for 
ability,  is  iu  the  judgment  and  disposition  of  business; 
for  expert  men  can  execute,  aud  perhaps  judge  of  par- 
ticulars, one  by  one:  but  the  general  counsels,  and  the 
plots  and  marshaling  of  affairs  come  best  from  those 
that  are  learned.  To  spend  too  much  time  in  studies, 
is  sloth :  to  use  them  too  much  for  ornament,  is  affec- 
tation; to  make  judgment  wholly  by  their  rules,  is  the 
humor  of  a  scholar:  they  perfect  nature,  and  are  per- 
fected by  experience:  for  natural  abilities  are  like  natu- 
ral plants,  that  need  pruning  by  study;  and  studies 
themselves  do  give  forth  directions  too  much  at  large, 
except  they  be  bounded  in  by  experience.  Crafty  men 
contemn  studies,  simple  men  admire  them,  and  wise 
men  use  them;  for  they  teach  not  their  own  use;  but 
that  is  a  wisdom,  without  them  and  above  them,  won 
by  observation.  Read  not  to  contradict  and  confute, 
nor  to  believe  and  take  for  granted,  nor  to  find  talk  and 

*  This  formed  the  first  Elssay  in  the  earliest  edition  of  the 
work. 


OF  STUDIES.  179 

discourse,  but  to  weigh  and  consider.  Some  books  are  lo 
be  tasted,  others  to  be  swallowed,  and  some  few  to  Ik; 
chewed  and  digested;  tliat  is,  some  books  are  to  be 
read  only  in  parts;  others  to  be  read  but  not  curiously;* 
and  some  few  to  be  read  wholly,  and  with  diligence 
and  attention.  Some  books  also  maybe  read  by  deputy, 
and  extracts  made  of  tliem  by  others;  but  that  would 
be  only  in  the  less  important  arguments  and  the  meaner 
sort  of  books;  else  distilled  books  are,  like  common 
distilled  waters,  flashy  f  things.  Reading  makelli  a 
full  man;  conferenee  a  ready  man;  and  writing  an  ex- 
act man;  and,  therefore,  if  a  man  write  little,  he  had 
need  have  a  great  memory;  if  he  confer  little,  he  had 
need  have  a  present  wit;  and  if  he  read  little,  he  need 
have  much  cunning,  to  seem  to  know  that  he  doth  not. 
Histories  make  men  wise;  poets,  witty;  tlie  mathemat- 
ics, subtile;  natural  philosophy,  deep;  moral,  grave; 
logic  and  rhetoric,  able  to  contend:  "  Abeunt  sludia  iu 
mores ;"^  nay,  there  is  no  stand  or  impediment  iu  the 
wit,  but  may  be  wrought  out  by  fit  studies:  like  as  dis- 
eases of  the  body  may  have  appropriate  exercises;  bowl- 
ing is  good,  for  the  stone  and  reins,  shooting  for 
the  lungs  and  breast,  gentle  walking  for  the  stomach, 
riding  for  the  head  and  the  like;  so  if  a  man's  wit  be 
wandering,  let  him  study  the  mathematics;  for  in  de- 
monstrations, his  wit  be  called  away  never  so  little,  he 
must  begin  again;  if  his  wit  be  not  apt  to  distinguish 
or  find  difference,  let  him  study  the  schoolmen;  for 
tliey  are  "  Cymini  sectores."  §    If  he  be  not  apt  to  beat 

•  Attentively.  t  Vapid ;  without  taste  or  spirit. 

$  "  Studies  become  habits." 

$  "Splitters  of  cummin-seeds;"  or,  as  we  now  say,  "splitters 
of  straws,"  or  "  hairs."    Butler  says  of  Hudibras— 
"  He  could  distinguish  and  divide 
A  hair  'twixt  south  and  south-west  side." 


180  BACON'S  ESBAYS. 

over  matters,  and  to  call  up  one  thing  to  prove  and 
illustrate  anotlier,  let  him  study  the  lawyers'  cases:  so 
every  defect  of  the  mind  may  have  a  special  receipt. 

LI.— OF  FACTION. 

Many  have  an  opinion  not  wise,  that  for  a  prince  to 
govern  his  estate,  or  for  a  great  person  to  govern  his 
proceedings,  according  to  the  respect  of  factions,  is  a 
principal  part  of  policy;  whereas,  contrariwise,  the 
chiefest  wisdom  is  either,  in  ordering  those  things 
which  are  general,  and  wherein  men  of  several  factious 
do  nevertheless  agree,  or  in  dealing  with  correspond- 
ence to  particidar  persons,  one  by  one :  but  1  say  not, 
that  the  consideration  of  factions  is  to  be  neglected. 
Mean  men  in  their  rising  must  adhere;  but  great  meu 
that  have  strength  in  themselves,  were  better  to  main- 
tain themselves  indifferent  and  neutral:  yet  even  in 
beginners,  to  adhere  so  moderately,  as  he  be  a  man  of 
the  one  faction,  which  is  most  passable  with  the  other, 
commonly  giveth  best  way.  The  lower  and  weaker 
faction  is  the  firmer  in  conjunction;  and  it  is  often  seen, 
that  a  few  that  are  stiff,  do  tire  out  a  great  number  that 
are  more  moderate.  When  one  of  the  factions  is  extin- 
guished, the  remaining  subdivideth;  as  the  faction  be- 
tween Lucullus  and  the  rest  of  the  nobles  of  the  senate 
(which  they  called  "  optimates")  held  out  awhile  against 
the  faction  of  Pompey  and  Cajsar;  but  when  the  senate's 
authority  was  pulled  down,  Caesar  and  Pompey  soon 
alter  brake.  The  faction  or  party  of  Antonius  and  Oc- 
taviauus  Caesar,  against  Brutus  and  Cassius,  held  out 
likewise  for  a  time;  but  when  Brutus  and  Cassius  werti 
overthrown,  then  soon  after  Antonius  and  Octavianus 
brake  and  subdivided.     These  examples  are  of  wars, 


OF  FACTION.  181 

but  Ihe  same  holdeth  in  private  factions:  and  tliereforc, 
those  that  are  seconds  in  factious,  do  many  times,  when 
the  faction  subdivideth,  prove  principals;  but  many 
times  also  they  prove  ciphers  and  cashiered;  for  many 
a  man's  strength  is  in  opposition;  and  wlien  that  faileth, 
he  groweth  out  of  use.  It  is  commonly  seen,  that  men 
once  placed,  take  in  with  the  contrary  faction  to  that 
by  which  they  enter;  thinking,  belike,  that  they  have 
tlie  first  sure,  and  now  are  ready  for  a  new  purchase. 
The  traitor  in  faction  lightly  goeth  away  with  it,  for 
when  matters  have  stuck  long  in-  balancing,  the  win- 
ning of  some  one  man  casteth  them,*  and  he  getteth  all 
the  thanks.  The  even  carriage  between  two  factions  pro- 
ceedelh  not  always  of  moderation,  but  of  a  trueness  to  a 
man's  self,  with  end  to  make  use  of  both.  Certainly, 
in  Italy,  they  bold  it  a  little  suspect  in  popes,  when 
they  have  often  in  their  mouth  "Padre  comune:"f 
and  take  it  to  be  a  sign  of  one  that  meaneth  to  refer  all 
to  the  greatness  of  his  own  house.  Kings  had  need 
beware  how  they  side  themselves  and  make  them- 
selves as  of  a  faction  or  party;  for  leagues  within 
the  state  are  ever  pernicious  to  monarchies;  for  they 
raise  an  obligation  paramount  to  obligation  of  sov- 
ereignty, and  make  the  king  "tanquam  unus  ex 
nobis;"  J  as  was  to  be  seen  in  the  Ijcague  of  France. 
When  factions  are  carried  too  high  and  too  violently,  it 
is  a  sign  of  weakness  in  princes,  and  much  to  the  preju- 
dice both  of  their  authority  and  business.    The  motions 

*  Catise  one  side  to  preponderate. 

+  "The  common  of  father." 

X  "  As  one  of  us."  Henry  III.  of  France,  favoring  the  L«aguo 
formed  l)y  the  Duke  of  Guise  and  Cardinal  De  Lorraine  against 
the  ProtestAnts,  soon  found  tliat  tlirongli  the  adoption  of  that 
policy  he  had  forfeited  tlie  respect  of  liis  subjects 


182  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

of  factions  under  kings  ought  to  be  like  the  motions  (as 
the  astronomers  speak)  of  the  inferior  orbs,  which  may 
li;ive  tlieir  proper  motions,  but  j'et  still  are  quietly  car- 
rictl  by  the  higher  motion  of  "  primum  mobile."* 

Lll.— OF  CEREMONIES  AND  RESPECTS. 

He  that  is  only  real,  had  need  liave  exceeding  great 
parts  of  virtue;  as  the  stone  had  need  to  be  rich  that  is 
set  without  foil ;  but  if  a  man  mark  it  well,  it  is  in 
praise  and  commendation  of  men,  as  it  is  in  gettings 
and  gains:  for  the  proverb  is  true,  "That  light  gains 
make  heavy  purses;"  for  light  gains  come  thick,  whereas 
great  come  but  now  and  then:  so  it  is  true,  that  small 
matters  win  great  commendation,  because  they  are  con- 
linunlly  in  use  and  in  note:  whereas  the  occasion  of  any 
groat  virtue  cometh  but  on  festivals;  therefore  it  doth 
much  add  to  a  man's  reputation,  and  is  (as  Queen  Isa- 
bella t  said)  like  perpetual  letters  commendatory,  to 
have  good  forms;  to  attain  tliem,  it  almost  sufficelh  not 
to  despise  them;  for  so  shall  a  man  observe  them  in 
others;  and  let  hira  trust  himself  with  the  rest;  for  if 
lie  labor  too  much  to  express  them,  he  shall  lose  their 
gnice;  which  is  to  be  natural  and  unaffected.  Some 
men's  behavior  is  like  a  verse,  wherein  every  syllable  is 
measured;  how  can  a  man  comprehend  great  matters, 
that  breaketh  his  mind  too  much  to  small  observations? 
Not  to  use  ceremonies  at  all  is  to  teach  others  not  to 
use  them  again;  and  so  diminisheth  respect  to  himself; 
esj)ecially  they  be  not  to  be  omitted  to  strangers  and 
formal  natures;  but  the  dwelling  upon  them,  and  exalt- 

*  See  a  Note  to  Essay  15. 

t  Of  Castile.    She  was  ttie  wife  of  Ferdinand  of  Arragon,  and 
was  the  patroness  of  Columbus. 


OF  CEREMONIES  AND  RESPECTS.       183 

ing  tliem  above  the  moon,  is  not  only  tedious,  but  dotli 
diminish  the  faith  and  credit  of  him  that  speaks;  and, 
certainly,  there  is  a  kind  of  conveying  of  effectual  and 
imprinting  passages  amongst  compliments,  which  is  of 
Biugular  use,  if  a  uian  can  hit  upon  it.  Amongst  a 
man's  peers,  a  man  shall  be  sure  of  familiarity;  and 
therefore  it  is  good  a  little  to  keep  state;  amongst  a 
man's  inferiors,  one  shall  be  sure  of  reverence;  and 
therefore  it  is  good  a  little  to  be  familiar.  He  tliat  is 
too  much  in  anything,  so  that  he  givelh  another  occasion 
of  satiety,  maketli  himself  cheap.  To  apply  one's  self 
to  others  is  good;  so  it  be  with  demonstration,  that  a 
man  doth  it  upon  regard,  and  not  upon  facility.  It  is  a 
good  precept,  generally  in  seconding  another,  yet  to 
add  somewhat  of  one's  own:  as  if  you  will  grant  his 
opinion,  let  it  be  with  some  distinction;  if  you  will  fol- 
low his  motion,  let  it  be  with  condition;  if  you  allow 
his  counsel,  let  it  be  with  alleging  further  reason.  Men 
li:ul  need  beware  how  they  be  too  perfect  in  compll- 
incnts;  for  they  Imj  never  so  siifflcient  otherwise,  their 
enviers  will  be  sure  to  give  them  that  attribute,  to  the 
disadvantage  of  their  greater  virtues.  It  is  loss  also  in 
btisiness  to  be  too  full  of  respects,  or  to  be  too  curious 
in  observing  times  and  opportunities.  Solomon  sailh, 
"He  lliat  considereth  the  wind  shall  not  sow,  and  he 
that  looketh  to  the  clouds  shall  not  reap."*  A  wise 
man  will  make  more  opportunities  tlian  he  finds.  Men's 
behavior  should  be  like  their  apparel,  not  too  straight 
or  point  device.f  but  free  for  •  xercise  or  motion. 

*  The  words  in  our  version  are,  "  He  that  observeth  the  wind 
shall  not  sow,  and  he  tliat  regardeth  the  clouds  shall  not  reap." 
— Ecclesiastes,  ii.  4. 

+  Exact  in  the  extreme.  Polnt-de-vice  was  originally  the  name 
of  a  Itind  of  lace  of  very  flue  pattern. 


184  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 


LIII.— OF  PRAISE. 

Pkatse  is  the  reflection  of  virtue;  but  it  is  glass,  or 
body,  wliicli  givetii  the  reflection.  If  it  be  from  tlie 
conunon  people,  it  is  commonly  false  and  nought,  and 
rather  followetU  vain  persons  than  virtuous;  for  tlie 
v;onimon  people  understand  not  many  excellent  virtues: 
tlie  lowest  virtues  draw  praise  from  them,  tlie  middle 
virtues  work  in  them  aslonisliment  or  admiration;  but 
of  tlie  highest  virtues  they  have  no  sense  or  perceiving 
at  all;  but  shows  and  "species  virtutibus  similes,"* 
serve  best  witli  thera.  Certainly,  fame  is  like  a  river, 
that  beareth  up  things  light  and  swollen,  and  drowns 
tilings  weighty  and  solid;  but  if  persons  of  qualit3'  and 
judgment  concur,  then  it  is  (as  the  Scripture  .«ailh), 
"  Nomen  bonum  instar  unguenti  fragrantis:"  f  it  filleth 
all  round  about,  and  will  not  easily  away;  for  the  odors 
of  ointments  are  more  durable  than  those  of  flowers. 
Tliere  be  so  many  false  points  of  praise,  that  a  man  may 
justly  hold  it  a  suspect.  Some  praises  proceed  merely 
of  flattery;  and  if  he  be  an  ordinary  flatterer,  he  will 
liave  certain  common  attributes,  wliich  may  serve  every 
man;  if  he  be  a  cunning  flatterer,  he  will  follow  the 
arch-flatterer,  which  is  a  man's  self,  and  wherein  a  man 
tliinketh  best  of  himself,  therein  the  flatterer  will  uphold 
him  most:  but  if  he  be  au  impudent  flatterer,  look 
wherein  a  man  is  conscious  to  liimself  that  he  is  most 
defective,  and  is  most  out  of  countenance  in  himself, 
that  will  the  flatterer  entitle  him  to,  perforce,  "spretfi 

*  "  Appearances  resembling  virtues." 

t  "  A  good  name  is  like  sweet-smelling  ointment."  The  words 
in  our  version  are,  "  A  good  name  is  better  than  precious  oint- 
ment."—Ecclesiastes  vii.  1. 


OF  PRAISE.  185 

coiiscieuliS."*  Some  praises  come  of  good  wishes  an<l 
respects,  which  is  a  form  due  in  civility  to  kiugs  and 
great  persons,  "  laudando  praeciperc;"  f  when  by  telling 
men  what  they  are  they  represent  to  them  what  they 
siiould  be  ;  some  men  are  praised  maliciously  to  their 
Imit,  thereby  to  stir  envy  and  jealousy  towards  them; 
"  Pessimum  genus  inimicorunilaudantium;"|  insomuch 
as  it  w^as  a  proverb  amongst  the  Grecians  that,  "  he  that 
was  praised  to  his  hurt,  should  have  a  push  §  rise  upon 
his  nose;"  sis  we  say,  that  a  blister  will  rise  upon  one's 
tongue  that  tells  a  lie;  certainly,  moderate  praise,  used 
with  opportunity,  and  not  vulgar,  is  that  which  doth 
the  good.  Solomon  saith,  "  Ee  that  praiseth  his  friend 
aloud,  rising  early,  it  shall  be  to  him  no  better  than  a 
curse:"  I  Too  much  magnifying  of  man  or  mutter  doth 
irritate  contradiction,  and  procure  envy  and  scorn.  To 
praise  a  man's  self  cannot  be  decent,  except  it  be  in  rare 
cases;  but  to  praise  a  man's  office  TI  or  profession,  he 
may  do  it  with  good  grace,  and  with  a  kind  of  magnan- 
imity. The  cardinals  of  Rome,  which  are  theologuos,** 
and  friars,  and  schoolmen,  have  a  phrase  of  notable 
contempt  and  scorn  towards  civil  business;  for  they  call 
all  temporal  business  of  wars,  embassages,  judicature, 
and  other  employments,  sbirrerie,  whicii  is  under- 
sheiiiTries,  as  if  they  were  but  matters  for  under-sheriffs 

*  "  Disregarding:  his  oicn  conscience." 

t  "  To  instruct  under  the  form  of  praise." 

t  "The  worst  kind  of  enemies  are  those  who  flatter." 

S  A  pimple  filled  with  "  pus,"  or  "purulent  matter."  The  word 
is  still  used  in  the  east  of  England. 

E  The  words  in  our  version  are.  "  He  that  blesseth  his  friend 
with  a  loud  voice,  rising  early  in  the  morning,  it  shall  be  counted 
a  curse  to  him." — Proverl>s  xxvii.  14. 

^  In  other  words,  to  show  what  we  call  esprit  de  corpe. 

**  Theologians. 


186  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

and  catchpoles;  though  many  times  those  under  sheriff- 
ries  do  more  good  than  their  high  specul:itions.  St. 
Paul,  when  he  boasts  of  himself,  he  doth  oft  interlace, 
"  I  speak  like  a  fool;"  *  but  speaking  of  his  calling,  he 
saith,  "  Magnificabo  apostolatum  meum."  f 


LIV.-OF  VAIN  GLORY. 

It  was  prettily  devised  of  ^sop,  the  fly  sat  upon  the 
axle-tree  of  the  chariot-wheel,  and  said,  "  What  a  dust 
do  I  raise!"  So  are  there  some  vain  persons,  that  what- 
soever goeth  alone,  or  movetli  upon  greater  means,  if 
they  have  never  so  little  hand  in  it,  they  think  it  is 
they  that  carry  it.  They  that  are  glorious  must  needs 
be  factious;  for  all  bravery  X  stands  upon  comparisons. 
They  must  needs  be  violent  to  make  good  their  own 
vaunts;  neither  can  they  be  secret,  and  therefore  not 
effectual;  but  according  to  the  French  proverb  "Beau- 
coup  de  bruit,  peu  de  fruit;" — "much  bruit,^  little 
fruit."  Yet,  certainly,  there  is  use  of  this  quality  in 
civil  affairs:  where  there  is  an  opinion  ||  and  fame  to  be 
created,  either  of  virtue  or  greatness,  these  men  are 
gooil  trumpeters.  Again,  as  Titus  Livius  noteth,  in  the 
case  of  Antiochus  and  the  ^lolians,  there  are  sometimes 
great  effects  of  cross  lies;  as  if  a  man  that  negotiates 
between  two  princes,  to  draw  them  to  join  in  a  war 

*  II.  Cor.  xi.  2.^ 

t  "I  will  magnify  my  apostleship."  He  alludes  to  the  words 
in  Romans  xi.  13— "Inasmuch  as  I  am  the  apostle  of  the  Gen- 
tiles, I  magnify  mine  office." 

i  Vaunting,  or  boasting. 

§  Noise.  We  have  a  corresponding  proverb  -"Great  cry  and 
little  wool." 

I  A  high  or  good  opinion. 


OF  VAIN  OLORT.  187 

against  the  third,  doth  extol  the  forces  of  either  of  them 
above  measure,  the  one  to  the  other:  and  sometimes  he 
that  deals  between  man  and  man,  raiseth  his  own 
credit  with  both,  by  pretending  greater  interest  lliau 
he  bath  in  either;  and  in  these,  and  the  lilce  kinds, 
it  often  falls  out,  that  somewhat  is  produced  of 
nothing;  for  lies  are  sulticient  to  breed  opinion,  and 
opinion  brings  on  substance.  In  military  com- 
manders and  soldiers,  vain  glory  is  an  essential 
point;  for  as  iron  sliarpens  iron,  so  by  glory,  one 
ourcage  sharpenelh  anotlier.  In  cases  of  great  en- 
terprise upon  charge*  and  adventure,  a  composition  of 
glorious  natures  doth  put  life  into  business;  and  those 
that  are  of  solid  and  sober  natures,  have  more  of  the 
ballast  than  of  the  sail.  In  fame  of  learning,  the  flight 
■will  be  slow  without  some  fealliers  of  ostentation: 
' '  Qui  de  contomnendS  glorifi  libros  scribunt,  nomeu 
suum  inscribunt."f  Socrates,  Aristotle,  Galen,  were 
men  full  of  ostentiition:  certainly,  vain  glory  helpelh 
to  perpetuate  a  man's  memory;  and  virtue  was  never 
so  beholden  to  human  nature,  as  it  received  its  due  at 
the  second  hand.  Neither  had  the  fame  of  Cicero, 
Seneca,  Plinius  Secundus,J  borne  her  age  so  well  if  it 
had  not  been  joined  with  some  vanity  in  themselves; 
like  unto  varnish,  that  makes  ceilings  not  only  shine, 

*  By  express  command. 

t "  Those  who  write  books  on  despising  glory  set  their  names 
in  the  title-page."  He  quotes  from  Cic^o's  "Tuscnalanaa 
Disputationes,"  b.i  c.  15,  whose  words  are,  "Quid  nostri  philos- 
ophic Nonne  In  his  libris  ipsis,  quoe  scribunt  de  conteninenda 
gloria,  sua  nomina  inscribunt."  "What  do  our  philosophers 
do?  Do  they  not,  in  those  very  books  which  they  write  on 
despising  glory,  set  their  [names  in  tlie  title-pagef 

t  Pliny  the  You^)ger,  the  nephew  of  the  elder  Pliny,  th« 
naturalist. 


188  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

but  last.  But  all  this  wbile,  when  I  speak  of  vain 
glory,  I  mean  not  of  that  property  that  Tacitus  doth 
attribute  to  Mucianus,  "Omnium,  quas  dixerat  fecer- 
atque,  arte  quftdam  ostentator:"*  for  thatf  proceeds 
not  of  vanity,  but  of  natural  magnanimity  and  discre- 
tion;  and,  in  some  persons,  is  not  only  comely,  but 
gracious;  for  excusations,|  cessions,^  modesty  itself, 
well  governed,  are  but  arts  of  ostentation;  and  amongst 
those  arts  there  is  none  better  than  that  which  Plinius 
Secundus  speaketh  of,  which  is  to  be  liberal  of  praise 
and  commendation  to  others,  in  that  wherein  a  man's 
self  hath  any  perfection:  for,  saith  Pliny  very  wittily, 
"In  commending  another,  you  do  yourself  right;  for 
he  that  you  commend  is. either  superior  to  you  in  that 
you  commend,  or  inferior:  if  he  be  inferior,  if  he  be 
to  be  commended,  you  much  more ;  if  he  be  superior, 
if  he  be  not  to  be  commended,  you  much  less." 
Glorious  II  men  are  the  scorn  of  wise  men,  the  admira- 
tion of  fools,  the  idols  of  parasites,  and  the  slaves  of 
their  own  vaunts. 

LV.— OF  HONOR  AND  REPUTATION. 

TiiE  winning  of  honor  is  but  the  revealing  of  a 
man's  virtue  and  worth  without  disadvantage;  for  some 
in  their  actions  do  woo  and  affect  honor  and  reputa- 
tion; which  sort  of  men  are  commonly  much  talked 
of,  but  inwardly   little  admired:   and  some,  contrari- 

*  "  One  who  set  off  everything  he  said  and  did  with  a  certain 
skill."  Mucianus  was  an  intriguing  general  in  the  times  of 
Otho  and  Vitellius. 

t  Namely,  the  property  of  which  he  was  speaking,  and  not 
that  mentioned  by  Tacitus. 

X  Apologies.  §  Concessions.  ll  Boastful.     ^ 


OF  HONOR  AND  REPUTATION.  189 

wise,  darken  tlieir  virtue  iu  the  show  of  it;  so  n. 5  they 
be  undervalued  iu  opinion.  If  a  man  perform  that 
which  hath  not  been  attempted  before,  or  attenapteil 
aud  given  over,  or  liath  been  achieved,  but  not  with 
so  good  circumstance,  he  shall  purchase  more  honor 
Ihan  by  affecting  a  matter  of  greater  difficulty  or 
virtue,  wherein  he  is  but  a  follower.  If  a  man  so 
temper  his  actions,  as  in  some  one  of  tiiem  he  doth 
( onlcnt  every  faction  or  combination  of  people,  the 
music  will  be  tlie  fuller.  A  man  is  an  ill  husband  of 
his  honor  that  entereth  into  any  action,  the  failing 
wherein  may  disgrace  liim  more  than  the  carrying  of 
it  tlirough  can  honor  him.  Honor  that  is  gained  and 
broken  upon  another  hath  the  quickest  reflection,  like 
diamonds  cut  with  facets;  and  therefore  let  a  man 
contend  to  excel  any  competitors  of  his  in  honor,  iu 
outshooting  them,  if  he  can,  in  their  own  bow.  Dis- 
creet followers  and  servants  help  much  to  reputation: 
"  Omnis  fama  a  domesticis  emauat."*  Envy,  which 
is  the  canker  of  honor,  is  best  extinguished  by  declar- 
ing a  man's  self  in  his  ends,  rather  to  seek  merit  than 
fame:  and  by  attributing  a  man's  successes  rather  to 
Divine  providence  and  felicity,  than  to  his  own  virtue 
or  policy.  The  true  marshalling  of  the  degrees  of 
sovereign  honor  are  these:  in  the  first  place  are  "con 
ditores  imperioruni,",f  founders  of  states  and  com- 
monwealths; such  as  were  Romulus,  Cyrus,  Cajsar. 
Ottoman,^  Ismael:  in   the  second  place  are  "  legisla- 

♦  All  fame  emanates  from  servants." 

+  "  Founders  of  empires." 

tHe  alludes  to  Ottoman,  or  Othman  I.,  the  founder  of  the 
dynasty  now  reigning  at  Constantinople.  From  liim  the  Turk- 
Uh  empire  received  the  appellation  of  "  Othoman,"  or  "Otto- 
man," Porte. 


i:0  BACOA'S  ESSAYS.    \ 

tores,"  lawgivers;  which  are  also  called  second 
founders,  or  "perpetui  principes,"*  because  they 
govern  by  their  ordinances  after  they  are  gone;  such 
were  Lj'^curgus,  Solon,  Justinian,  Edgar,f  Alphonsus 
of  Castile  the  Wise,  that  made  the  "  Siete  Partidas:"J 
in  the  third  place  are  "  liberatores,"  or  "salvatores,"§ 
such  as  compound  the  long  miseries  of  civil  wars,  or 
deliver  their  countries  from  scrvilude  of  strangers  or 
tyrants;  as  Augustus  Ciesar,  Vespasianus,  Aurclianus, 
Tlieodoricus,  King  Henry  the  Scvcutli  of  Euglaud, 
King  Henry  the  Fourth  of  France:  in  the  fourtii  place 
are  "  propagatores,"  or  "  i)ropugnatores  imperii,"  | 
such  as  in  honorable  "wars  enlarge  their  territories,  or 
make  noble  defense  against  invaders;  and,  in  the  last 
place,  are  "  pat  res  patrisp,"^  which  reign  justly  and 
make  the  times  good  wherein  thej'  live;  both  which 
List  kinds  need  no  examples,  they  are  in  such  number. 
Degrees  of  honor  in  subjects  are,  first,  "participes 
curarum,"**  those  upon  Avhom  princes  do  discharge 
the  greatest  weiglit  of  their  affairs;  their  right  hands, 

*  "  Perputual  rulers." 

tSurnamed  the  Peaceful,  who  ascended  the  throne  of  Eng- 
land A.D.  959.  He  was  eminent  as  a  legislator  and  a  ligid 
assertor  of  justice.  Hume  considei-s  his  reign  "  one  of  the  most 
fortunate  that  we  meet  with  in  the  ancient  English  history." 

t  These  were  a  general  collection  of  the  Spanish  laws,  made 
hy  Alphonso  X.  of  Castile,  arranged  under  their  proper  titles. 
The  work  was  commenced  b.v  Don  Ferdinand,  his  father,  to  put 
an  end  to  the  contradictory  decisions  in  the  Castilian  courts  of 
justice.  It  was  divided  into  seven  parts,  whence  its  name 
"Siete  Partidas."  It  did  not,  however,  become  the  law  of 
Castile  till  nearly  eighty  years  after. 

§  "  Deliverers,"  or  "  presevers." 

I "  Extenders,"  or  "  defenders  of  the  empire." 

II  "  Fathers  of  their  country." 

**  "  Participators  in  cares." 


OF  JUDICA  rURE.  191 

as  we  call  them;  the  next  are  "duces  belli,"*  great 
lenders;  such  as  are  princes'  lieutenanls,  and  do  them 
notable  services  in  the  wars;  the  third  are  "gratiosi," 
favorites;  such  as  exceed  not  this  scantling.f  to  b« 
solace  to  the  sovereign,  and  harmless  to  the  people; 
and  the  fourtlj,  "  negotiis  pares;"  ^  such  as  have  greai 
places  under  princes,  and  execute  their  places  with 
sufficiency.  There  is  an  honor,  likewise,  which  may 
be  ranked  amongst  the  greatest,  which  happeneth 
rarely;  that  is,  of  such  as  sacrifice  themselves  to  deatl, 
or  danger  for  the  good  uf  their  country;  as  was  M. 
Regulus,  and  the  two  Decii. 

LVI.— OF  JUDICATURE. 

Judges  ought  to  rememl)er  that  their  office  is  "  ju\ 
dicere,"§  and  not  "jus  dare;"  |  to  interpret  law,  and 
not  to  make  law,  or  give  law;  else  will  it  be  like  tho 
authority  claimed  by  the  Church  of  Rome,  which, 
under  pretext  of  exposition  of  Scripture,  doth  not 
stick  to  add  and  alter,  and  to  pronounce  that  wiiich 
they  do  not  find,  and  by  show  of  antiquity  to  intro- 
duce novelty.  Judges  ought  to  be  more  learned  than 
witty,  more  reverend  than  piausil)le,  and  more  ad- 
vised tlian  confident.  Above  all  things,  integrity  is 
their  portion  and  proper  virtue.  "Cursed  (with  the 
law  ^)  is  he  that  removeth  the  landmark."  The  mis- 
layer  of  a  mere  stone  is  to  blame;  but  it  is  the  unjusl 
judge  that  is  the  capital  remover  of  landmarks,  when 

*  "  Lexiders  In  war."  t  Proportion,  dimensions. 

t  "  Equal  to  their  duties."  §  "  To  expound  the  law." 

i  "  To  inalce  the  law." 

IThe  Mo.saic  law.  He  alludes  to  Deuteronomy  xxviL— 
"Cursed  be  be  that  removelb  his  neighbor's  landmarlc." 


193  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

he  deflneth  amiss  of  lands  iand  property.  One  fou\ 
sentence  doth  more  hurt  than  many  foul  examples;  for 
these  do  but  corrupt  the  stream,  the  other  corruptetli 
the  fountain:  so  suith  Solomon,  "  Fons  turbatus  et 
vena  corrupta  est  Justus  cadens  in,  causS,  sua  coram 
adversario. "  *  The  office  of  judges  may  have  refer- 
ence unto  the  parties  that  sue,  unto  the  advocates  that 
plead,  unto  the  clerks  and  ministftrs  of  justice  under- 
neath them,  and  to  the  sovereign  or  state  above  then\. 
First,  for  the  causes  or  parties  that  sue.  "  Tliere 
be  (saith  the  Scripture)  that  turn  judgment  into  worm- 
wood;! and  surely  there  be,  also,  that  turn  it  into 
vineger;  for  injustice  maketli  it  bitter,  and  delays 
make  it  sour.  The  principal  duty  of  a  judge  is  to 
suppress  force  and  fraud;  whereof  force  is  the  more 
pernicious  when  it  is  open,  and  fraud  when  it  is  close 
and  disguised.  Add  thereto  contentious  suits,  which 
ought  to  be  spewed  out,  as  the  surfeit  of  courts.  A 
judge  ought  to  prepare  his  way  to  a  just  sentence, 
as  God  useth  to  prepare  his  way,  by  raising  valleys 
and  taking  down  hills:  so  when  there  appeareth  on 
either  side  a  high  hand,  violent  prosecution,  cunning 
advantages  taken,  combination,  power,  great  counsel, 
then  is  the  virtue  of  a  judge  seen  to  make  inequality 
equal;  that  he  may  paint  his  judgment  as  upon  an 
even  ground.  "  Qui  fortiter  emungit,  elicit  sangui- 
nem;":j:aud  where  the  winepress  is  hard  wrought,  it 

*  "  A  righteous  man  falling  down  before  the  wicked  is  as  a 
troubled  fountain  and  a  corrupt  spring.  "—Proverbs  xxv.  26. 

t  Amos  V.  7 — "  Ye  wlio  turn  judgment  to  woj'mwood,  and 
leave  off  righteousness  in  the  earth." 

t  "  He  who  wrings  the  nose  strongly  brings  blood."  Proverbs 
XXX.  33— "Surely  the  churning  of  milk  bringeth  forth  butter, 
and  the  wringing  of  the  nose  bringeth  forth  blood:  so  that  thn 
forcing  of  wrath  bringeth  forth  strife." 


OF  JUDICATURE.  198 

yields  a  liarsh  wine,  that  tastes  of  the  grape  stone, 
Juiiges  must  beware  of  hard  coustructious,  aud  strained 
inferences ;  for  there  is  no  worse  torture  than  tlie  torture 
of  hiws:  especially  in  case  of  laws  peunl,  they  ought  to 
have  C!u*e  that  that  wliich  was  uieHUl  for  terror  be  not 
luniod  into  rigor:  and  that  tliey  bring  not  upon  the 
iwople  that  shower  whereof  the  Scripture  spe^keth, 
"  Pluet  super  eos  laqueos  ;"*  for  penal  laws  pressed,! 
are  a  shower  of  snares  upon  the  people:  therefore  let 
penal  laws,  if  they  have  been  sleepers  of  long,  or  if 
they  be  grown  unfit  for  the  present  time,  be  by  wise 
judges  confined  in  the  execution :  "  Judicis  ofBciuni  est, 
ut  rcs,  ita  tempora  rerum,"  etc.J  lu  causes  of  life  and 
death,  judges  ought  (as  far  as  the  law  permitteth;  in 
justice  to  remember  mercy,  and  to  cast  a  severe  eye 
upon  the  example,  but  a  merciful  eye  upon  the  person. 
Secondly,  for  tlie  advocates  and  counsel  that  plead. 
Patience  §  and  gravity  of  hearing  is  an  essential  part 
of  justice;  and  an  overspeaking  judge  is  no  well-tuned 
cymbal.  It  is  no  grace  to  judge  first  to  find  that  which 
he  might  have  he^xrd  in  due  time  from  the  bar;  or  to 
show  quickness  of  conceit  in  cutting  off  evidence  or 
counsel  too  short,  or  to  prevent  information  by  ques- 
tions, though  pertinent.  The  parts  of  a  judge  in  hear- 
ing are  four:  to  direct  the  evidence;  to  moderate 
length,  repetition,  or  impertinency  of  speech;  to  recap- 

*  "  He  will  rain  snares  upon  them."  Psalm  xi.  6 — "  Ufon  the 
wicked  he  shall  rain  snares,  fire,  and  brimstone,  and  an  horrible 
temjjest." 

t  Strained. 

\  ■'  It  is  the  duty  of  a  judge  to  consider  not  only  the  facts  but 
the  circumstances  of  the  ca.se." 

§  Pliny  the  Younger.  Ep.  B.  6,  E.  2,  has  the  observation — 
"  Paticiitiam  .  .  .  qua?  pai-s  magna  justitias  est ;"— "  P»tienc«, 
%lltcb  is  a  great  part  of  justice.  " 


IM  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

itulate,  select,  and  collate  the  material  points  of  that 
which  hath  been  said;  and  to  give  the  rule,  or  sentence. 
Whatsoever  is  above  these  is  loo  much,  and  proceedeth 
either  of  glory,  and  willingness  to  speak,  or  of  impa- 
tience to  hear,  or  of  shortness  of  memory,  or  of  want  of 
a  staid  and  equal  attention.  It  is  a  strange  thing  to  see 
that  the  boldness  of  advocates  should  prevail  with 
judges;  whereas  they  should  imitate  God,  in  whoso 
seat  they  sit,  who  represseth  the  presumptuous,  and 
giveth  grace  to  tlie  modest:  but  it  is  more  stninge,  that 
judges  should  have  noted  favorites,  wliich  cannot  but 
cause  multiplication  of  fees,  and  suspicion  of  by-ways. 
There  is  due  from  the  judge  to  the  advocate  some  com- 
mendation and  gracing,  where  causes  are  well  handled 
and  fair  pleaded,  especially  towards  tlie  side  which  ob- 
tainelh  not;*  for  that  upholds  in  the  client  the  reputa- 
tion of  his  counsel,  and  beats  down  in  him  the  conceit  f 
of  l»is  cause.  Tliere  is  likewise  due  to  tlie  public  t 
civil  reprehension  of  advocates,  where  there  appeareth 
cunning  counsel,  gross  neglect,  slight  information,  in- 
discreet pressing,  or  an  over- bold  defense;  and  let  not 
the  counsel  at  the  bar  chop:}:  with  the  judge,  nor  wind 
himself  into  the  handling  of  the  cause  anew  after  the 
judge  l»ath  declared  liis  sentence;  but,  on  the  other 
side,  let  not  the  judge  meet  the  cause  half-way,  nor 
give  occasion  to  the  party  to  say,  his  counsel  or  proofs 
were  not  heard. 

Thirdly,  for  that  that  concerns  clerks  and  ministers. 
The  place  of  justice  is  a  hallowed  place;  and  therefore 
not  only  the  bench  but  the  foot-pace  and  precincts,  and 


♦  Is  not  successful. 

t  Makes  him  to  feel  less  confident  of  the  goodness  of  his  catse. 

t  Altercate,  or  bandy  words  with  the  judge. 


OF  JUDICATURE.  195 

purprise  thereof  ought  to  be  preserved  without  scandai 
and  corruption;  for,  certainly,  "  Grapes  (us  the  Scrip- 
ture saith)  will  not  be  gathered  of  thorns  or  thistles;"* 
neither  can  justice  yield  her  fruit  with  sweetnea? 
amongst  the  briars  and  brambles  of  catching  and  poll- 
ing clerks  f  and  ministers.  The  attendance  of  courts  is 
subject  to  four  bad  instruments:  first,  certain  persons 
that  are  sower  of  suits,  which  make  the  court  swell, 
and  the  country  pine:  the  second  sort  is  of  both  those 
that  engage  courts  in  quarrels  or  jurisdiction,  and  are 
not  truly  "  amici  curiae, "f  but  "  parasiti  curiae,"  §  in 
puffing  a  court  up  bej'ond  her  bounds  for  their  own 
scraps  and  advantage:  the  third  sort  is  of  those  that 
may  be  accounted  the  left  hands  of  courts:  persons 
that  are  full  of  nimble  and  sinister  tricks  and  shifts, 
whereby  they  pervert  the  plain  and  direct  courses  of 
courts,  and  bring  justice  into  oblique  lines  and  laby- 
rinths: and  the  fourth  is  the  poller  and  exacter  of  fees: 
which  justifies  the  common  resemblance  of  the  courts 
of  justice  to  the  bush,  whereunto  while  the  sheep  flies 
for  defense  in  weather,  he  is  sure  to  lose  part  of  his 
fleece.  On  tlie  other  side,  an  ancient  clerk,  skilful  in 
precedents,  Wiiry  in  proceeding,  and  understanding  in 
the  business  of  the  court,  is  an  excellent  finger  .of  a 
court,  and  doth  many  times  point  the  way  to  the  judge 
himself. 

Fourthly,  for  that  which  may  concern  the  sovereign 
and  estate.  Jndges  ought,  above  all,  to  remember  the 
conclusion  of  the    Roman    Twelve   Tables,]    "Sal us 

•  St.  Matthew  vii.  16—"  Do  men  gather  grapes  of  thorns  or  figs 
of  thistle.s." 

t  Plundering.  %  "  Friends  of  the  court." 

§  "  Parasites,"  or  "  flatterers  of  the  court." 
I,  I  Which  wei-e  compiled  by  the  Decemvirs.  2 


196  BACOH'S  ESSAYS. 

populi  suprema  lex;"*  and  to  know  tliat  laws,  except 
they  be  in  order  to  that  end,  are  but  things  captious, 
and  oracles  not  well  inspired :  therefore  it  is  a  happj'- 
thing  in  a  state,  when  kings  and  states  do  often  consult 
with  judges;  and  again,  when  judges  do  often  consult 
with  the  king  and  state :  the  one,  when  there  is  matter 
ot  law  intervenient  in  business  of  state;  the  other, 
when  there  is  some  consideration  of  state  intervenient 
in  matter  of  law;  for  many  times  the  things  deduced 
to  judgment  may  be  "meum"f  and  "  tuum"  :j:  whcE 
the  reason  and  consequenee  thereof  may  trench  to 
point  of  estate :  I  call  matter  of  estate,  not  only  the 
parts  of  sovereignty,  but  whatsoever  introducet^i  any 
great  alteration,  or  dangerous  precedent;  or  coucerneth 
manifestly  any  great  portion  of  people :  and  let  no  man 
weakly  conceive  that  just  laws  and  true  policy  liave 
any  antipathy;  for  they  are  like  the  spirits  and  sinews, 
that  one  moves  with  the  other.  Let  judges  also  remem- 
ber, that  Solomon's  throne  was  supported  by  lions  §  on 
both  sides:  let  them  be  lions,  but  yet  lions  under  the 
throne:  being  circumspect  that  they  do  not  check  or 
oppose  any  points  of  sovereignty.  Let  not  judges  also 
be  so  ignorant  of  their  own  right,  as  to  think  there  is 
not  left  to  them,  as  a  principal  part  of  their  olBce,  a 
wise  use  and  application  of  laws;  for  they  may  remem- 
ber what  the  apostle  saith  of  a  greater  law  than  theirs: 


*  "The  safety  of  the  people  is  the  supreme  law." 

f'Mine."  t  "Yours." 

S  He  alludes  to  I  Kings  x.  19,  3ft—"  The  throne  had  six  steps, 
and  the  top  of  the  throne  was  round  behind:  and  there  were 
stays  on  either  side  of  the  place  of  the  seat,  and  two  lions  stood 
beside  the  stays.  And  twelve  lions  stood  there  on  the  one  sido 
and  on  the  other  upon  the  six  steps."  The  same  verses  are  re- 
peated in  I  Chronicles  ix.  18,  19. 


OF  ANGER.  197 

"Nos  scimus  quia  lex  bona  est,  modo  quis  ca  utatur 
legitime."* 

LVII.— OF  ANGER. 

To  seek  to  extinguish  auger  utterly  is  but  a  bravery  f 
of  the  iatoics.  We  have  better  oracles:  "Be  angry, 
but  sin  not:  let  not  the  sun  go  down  upon  your 
anger."  X  Anger  must  be  limited  and  conliued  both  in 
race  and  in  time.  We  will  speak  first  how  the  natural 
inclination  and  habit,  "  to  be  angry,"  may  be  tempered 
and  cakned;  secondly,  how  the  particular  motions  of 
anger  may  be  repressed,  or,  at  least,  refrained  from 
doi«g  mischief  ;  thirdly,  how  to  raise  anger,  or  appease 
auger  in  another. 

For  the  first,  there  is  no  other  way  but  to  meditate 
and  ruminate  well  upon  the  effects  of  anger,  how  it 
troubles  man's  life:  and  the  best  time  to  do  this,  is  to 
look  back  upon  auger  when  the  fit  is  thoroughly  over. 
Seneca  saith  well,  "that  anger  is  like  a  ruin,  which 
breaks  itself  upon  that  it  falls."  The  Scripture  ex- 
horteth  us  "to  possess  our  souls  in  patience;"  §  whoso- 
ever is  out  of  patience,  is  out  of  possession  of  his  soul. 
Men  must  not  turn  bees; 

"  Animasque  in  viilnere  ponunt."  i 

Anger  is  certainly  a  kind  of  baseness;  as  it  appears 


*  I  Tim.  i.  &— "  We  know  that  the  law  is  good,  if  a  man  use  it 
lawfully." 

t  A  boHf  t. 

t  Ephes.  iv.  20.  In  our  version  it  is  thus  rendered :  "  Be  ye 
angry  and  sin  not:  let  not  the  sun  go  down  upon  your  wrath." 

'^  "In  your  patience  possess  ye  your  souls."    Luke  xvi.  19. 

\  -I  And  leave  their  lives  in  the  wound."  The  quotation  is 
frcaa  Virgil's  Georgics,  iv.  238. 


198  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

well  iu  the  weakness  of  those  subjects  iu  whom  it 
reigus:  children,  women,  old  folks,  sick  folks.  Only 
men  must  beware  that  they  carry  their  anger  rather 
with  scorn  than  with  fear;  so  that  they  nmy  seem 
rather  to  be  above  the  injury  than  below  it;  which  is  a 
thing  easily  done,  if  a  man  will  give  law  to  himself 
in  it. 

For  the  second  point,  the  causes  and  motives  of 
anger  are  chiefly  three:  first,  to  be  too  sensible  of  hurt; 
for  no  man  is  angry  that  feels  not  himself  hurt;  and 
therefore  tender  and  delicate  persons  must  needs  be  oft 
angry,  they  have  so  many  things  to  trouljle  them, 
which  more  robust  natures  have  little  sense  of:  the 
next  is,  the  apprehension  and  construction  of  the 
injury  offered,  to  be,  in  the  ciicumstances  thereof,-  full 
of  contempt:  for  contempt  is  that  which  putteth  an 
edge  upon  anger,  as  much,  or  more,  than  the  hurt 
itself;  and,  therefore,  when  men  are  ingenious  in 
picking  out  circumstances  of  contempt,  they  do  kindle 
their  anger  much:  lastly,  opinion  of  the  touch*  of  a 
man's  reputation  doth  multiply  and  sharpen  anger; 
wherein  the  remedy  is,  that  a  man  should  have,  as 
Gonsalvo  was  wont  to  say,  "  Telam  honoris  crassio- 
rem."  f  But  in  all  refrainings  of  anger,  it  is  the  best 
remedy  to  win  time,  and  to  make  a  man's  self  believe 
that  the  opportunity  of  his  revenge  is  not  yet  come; 
but  that  he  foresees  a  time  for  it,  and  so  to  still  him- 
self in  the  meantime,  and  reserve  it. 
•  To  contain  anger  from  mischief,  though  it  take  hold 
of  a  man,  there  be  two  things  whereof  you  must  have 
special  caution:    the    one,  of  extreme  bitterness    of 


*  Susceptibility  upon. 

t "  A  thicker  covering  for  his  honor." 


OF  VICISSITUDE  OF  TUINGS.  103 

words,  especially  if  they  be  aculeate  and  proiwr;*  for 
"  communia  nialedicta"f  are  nothing  so  much;  and 
again,  that  in  anger  a  man  reveal  no  secrets;  for  that 
makes  him  not  fit  for  society:  the  other  that  you  do 
not  peremptorily  break  off  in  any  business  in  a  fit  of 
anger;  but  howsoever  you  show  bitterness,  do  not  act 
anything  that  is  not  revocable. 

For  raising  and  appeasing  anger  in  another,  it  is 
done  chiefly  by  choosing  of  times,  when  men  are  fro- 
wardest  and  worst  disposed  to  incense  them;  again,  by 
gathering  (as  we  touched  before)  all  that  you  can  find 
out  to  aggravate  the  contempt;  and  the  two  remedies 
are  by  the  contraries;  the  former  to  take  good  times, 
when  first  to  relate  to  a  man  an  angry  business;  for  the 
first  impression  is  much ;  and  the  other  is,  to  sever,  as 
much  as  may  be,  the  construction  of  the  injury  from 
the  point  of  contempt;  imputing  it  to  misunderstand- 
ing, fear,  passion,  or  what  you  will. 

LVIII.— OF  VICISSITUDE  OF  THINGS. 

Solomon  saith,  "There  is  no  new  thing  upon  the 
earth  ;"j:  so  that  as  Plato  §  had  an  imagination  that  all 
knowledge  was  but  remembrance;  so  Solomon  giveth 
his    sentence,    "That  all   novelty  is  but  oblivion ;"| 

*  Pointed  and  peculiarly  appropriate  to  the  piarty  attacked. 

t "  Ordinary  abuse." 

t  Ecclesiastes  i.  9,  10—"  The  thing  that  hath  been,  it  is  that 
which  shall  be:  and  that  which  is  done  is  that  which  shall  be 
done:  and  there  is  no  new  thing  under  the  sun.  Is  there  any- 
thing whereof  it  may  be  said.  See,  this  is  new?  It  hath  be<Jn 
already,  of  old  time,  which  was  before  us." 

§  In  his  Phaedo. 

5 Ecclesiastes  i.  11— "There  is  no  remembrance  of  former 
i'ji  ,  X'-  Lioither  shall  there  be  any  remembrance  of  things  that 
ar»  to  come  with  those  that  shall  come  herejifter." 


200  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

■whereby  you  may  see,  that  the  river  of  Lethe  runneth 
as  well  above  ground  as  below.  There  is  an  abstruse 
astrologer  that  saith,  if  it  were  not  for  two  things  that 
are  constant  (the  one  is,  that  the  fixed  stars  ever  stand 
at  like  distance  one  from  another,  and  never  como 
nearer  together,  nor  go  further  asunder;  the  other,  that 
the  diurnal  motiou  perpetually  keepeth  time),  no  indi- 
vidual  would  last  one  moment:  certain  it  is,  that  the 
matter  is  in  a  perpetual  flux,  and  never  at  a  stay.  The 
great  winding-sheets  that  bury  all  things  in  oblivion 
are  two;  deluges  and  earthquakes.  As  for  conflagra- 
tions and  great  droughts,  they  do  not  merely  dispeople, 
but  destroy.  Phaeton's  car  went  but  a  day;  and  the 
three  years'  drought  in  the  time  of  Elias,*  was  but 
particular, f  and  left  people  alive.  As  for  the  great 
burnings  by  lightnings,  which  are  often  in  the  West 
Indies,:}:  they  are  but  narrow;  §  but  in  the  other  two 
destructions,  by  deluge  and  eartliquake,  it.  is  further  to 
be  noted,  that  the  remnant  of  people  which  happen  to 
be  reserved,  are  commonly  ignorant  and  mountainous 
people,  that  can  give  no  account  of  the  time  past;  so 
that  the  oblivion  is  all  one  as  if  none  had  been  left.  If 
you  consider  well  of  the  people  of  the  West  Indies,  it 
is  very  probable  that  they  are  a  newer,  or  a  younger 

*I  Kings  xvii.  1— "And  Elijah  the  Tishbite,  who  was  of 
the  inhabitants  of  Gilead,  said  unto  Ahab,  As  the  Lord  God 
of  Israel  liveth,  before  whom  I  stand,  there  shall  not  be  dew 
nor  rain  these  years  but  according  to  m>  word."  I  Kings  xviii. 
1 — "  And  it  came  to  pass  after  many  days,  that  the  word  of  the 
Lord  came  to  Elijah,  in  the  third  year,  saying.  Go,  show  thyself 
unto  Ahab:  and  I  will  send  rain  upon  the  earth." 

t  Confined  to  a  limited  space. 

tThe  whole  of  the  continent  of  Amorica  them  discovered  »a 
included  under  this  name. 

S  Limited. 


OF  VICISSITUDE  OF  THINGS.  201 

people  than  the  people  of  the  old  world;  aod  it  ia  much 
more  likely  that  the  destruction  that  hath  heretofore 
been  there,  was  not  by  earthquakes  (as  the  Egj'ptian 
priest  told  Solon,  concerning  the  island  of  Atlantis, 
that  it  was  swallowed  by  an  earthquake),  but  rather 
that  it  was  desolated  by  a  particular  deluge;  for  earth- 
quakes are  seldom  in  those  parts;  but  on  the  other 
side,  they  have  such  pouring  rivers,  as  the  rivers  of 
Asia,  and  Africa,  and  Europe,  are  but  brooks  to  them. 
Their  Andes,  likewise,  or  mountains,  are  far  higher 
than  those  with  us;  whereby  it  seems,  that  (he  rem- 
nants of  generation  of  men  were  in  such  a  particular 
deluge  saved.  As  for  the  observation  that  Machiavel 
hath,  that  the  jealousy  of  sects  doth  much  extinguish 
the  memory  of  things;  traducing  Gregory  the  Great, 
that  he  did  what  in  him  lay  to  extinguish  all  heathen 
antiquities;  I  do  not  find  that  those  zeals  do  any  great 
effects,  nor  last  long;  as  it  appeared  in  the  succession 
of  Sabinian,*  who  did  revive  the  former  antiquities. 

The  vicissitude,  or  mutations,  in  the  superior  globe, 
are  no  fit  matter  for  this  present  argument.  It  may  be, 
Plato's  great  year.f  if  the  world  should  last  so  long, 
would  have  some  effect,  not  in  renewing  the  state  of 
like  individuals  (for  that  is  the  fumef  of  those  that 
conceive  the  celestial  bodies  have  more  accurate  influ- 
ences upon  these  things  below,  than  indeed  they  have), 

•  Sabinianus  of  Volaterra  was  elected  bishop  of  Rome  on  the 
death  of  Gregory  the  Great,  A.D.  604.  He  was  of  an  avaricious 
disposition,  and  therebr  incurred  the  popular  hatred.  He  died 
In  eighteen  months  after  his  election. 

t  This  Cicero  speaks  of  as  "  the  g:reat  year  of  the  mathema- 
ticians." "  On  the  Nature  of  the  Gods,"'  B.  4,  ch.  20.  By  soma 
it  was  supposed  to  occur  after  a  period  of  13.954  years,  while 
according  to  others,  it  was  of  25,920  years'  duration. 

%  Conceit. 


302  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

but  in  grass.  Comets,  out  of  question,  have  likewise 
power  and  effect  over  the  gross  and  muss  of  things;  but 
they  are  rather  gazed,  and  waited  upon  *  in  their 
journey,  than  wisely  observed  in  their  effects;  especi- 
ally in  their  respective  effects;  that  is,  what  kind  of 
comet  for  magnitude,  color,  version  of  the  beams, 
placing  in  the  region  of  heaven,  or  lasting,  produceth 
what  kind  of  effects. 

There  is  a  toy,f  which  I  have  heard,  and  I  would  not 
Lave  it  given  over,  but  waited  upon  a  little.  They  say 
it  is  observed  in  the  Low  Countries  (I  know  not  in 
what  part),  that  every  five  and  thirty  jears  the  same 
kind  and  suit  of  years  and  weather  comes  about  again; 
as  great  frosts,  great  wet,  great  droughts,  warm  win- 
ters, summers  with  little  heat,  and  the  like;  and  they 
call  it  the  prime;  it  is  a  thing  I  do  the  rather  mention, 
because,  computing  backwards,  I  have  found  some 
concurrence. 

But  to  leave  these  points  of  nature,  and  to  come  to 
men.  The  greatest  vicissitude  of  things  amongst  men, 
is  the  vicissitude  of  sects  and  religions:  for  those  orba 
rule  in  men's  minds  most.  The  true  religion  is  built 
upon  the  rock ;  the  rest  are  tossed  upon  the  waves  of 
time.  To  speak,  therefore,  of  the  causes  of  new  sects, 
and  to  give  some  counsel  concerning  them,  as  far  as 
the  weakness  of  human  judgment  can  give  stay  to  so 
great  revolutions. 

When  the  religion  formerly  received  is  rent  by 
discords,  and  when  the  holiness  of  the  professors  of 
religion  is  decayed  and  full  of  scandal,  and  withal  the 
times  be  stupid,  ignorant,  and  barbarous,  you  may 
doubt  the  springing  up  of  a  new  sect;  if  then  also  there 

*  Observed.  t  A.  curious  fancy  or  odd  conceit. 


OF  VWWSITUDE  OF  THINGS.  203 

phould  arise  any  extravagant  and  strange  spirit  to  make 
himself  author  thereof;  all  which  points  held  when 
Mahomet  published  his  law.  If  a  new  sect  have  not 
two  properties,  fear  it  not,  for  it  will  not  spread:  the 
one  is  the  supplanting  or  the  opposing  of  authority 
established;  for  nothing  is  more  popular  than  that; 
the  other  is  the  giving  license  to  pleasures  and  a  volup- 
tuous life:  for  as  for  speculative  heresies  (such  as  were 
in  ancient  times  the  Arians,  and  now  the  Arminians),* 
though  tliey  work  mightily  upon  men's  wits,  jet  tliey 
do  not  produce  any  great  altemtions  in  sUites:  except 
it  be  by  the  help  of  civil  occasions.  There  be  three 
manner  of  plantations  of  new  sects:  by  llie  power  of 
signs  and  miracles:  bv  the  elouuenoe  and  wisdom  of 
speech  and  persuasion;  and  byXlie  sword.  For  mar- 
tyrdoms, I  reckon  them  amongst  miracles,  because 
they  seem  to  exceed  the  strength  of  human  nature; 
and  I  may  do  the  like  of  superlative  and  admirable 
holiness  of  life.  Surely  there  is  no  better  way  to  stop 
the  rising  of  new  sects  and  schisms,  than  to  reform 
abuses;  to  compound  the  smaller  differences;  to  pro- 
ceed mildly,  and  not  with  sanguinary  persecutions;  and 
rather  to  take  off  the  principal  authors,  by  winning  and 
advancing  them,  than  to  enrage  them  by  violence  and 
bitterness. 

The  changes  and  vicissitude  in  wars  are  many;  but 
chiefly  in  three  things:  in  the  seats  or  stages  of  the 
war,  in  the  weapons,  and  in  the  manner  of  the  conduct. 
"Wars,  in  ancient  time,  seemed  more  to  move  from  east 
to  west;  for  the  Persians,  Assyrians,  Arabians,  Tartars 

*  The  followers  of  Arminius,  or  James  Harmensen,  a  cele- 
brated divine  of  the  16th  and  17th  centuries.  Though  called  o 
heresy  by  Bacon,  his  opinions  have  been  for  two  centuries,  and 
Still  are,  held  by  a  large  portion  of  the  Church  of  England. 


2H  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

(which  were  the  invaders),  were  all  eastern  people.  It 
is  true,  the  Gauls  were  western;  but  we  read  but  of 
two  incursions  of  theirs:  the  one  to  Gallo-Gi'a;cia,  the 
other  to  Rome:  but  east  and  west  have  no  certaia 
points  of  heaven;  and  no  more  have  the  wars,  either 
from  the  east  or  west,  any  certainty  of  observation ;  but 
north  and  south  are  fixed ;  and  it  hath  seldom  or  never 
been  seen  that  the  far  southern  people  have  invaded 
the  northern,  but  contrariwise;  whereby  it  is  manifest 
that  the  northern  tract  of  the  world  is  in  nature  the 
more  martial  region :  be  it  in  respect  of  the  stars  of  that 
hemisphere,*  or  of  the  great  continents  that  are  upon 
the  north;  whereas  the  south  part,  for  aught  that  is 
known,  is  almost  all  sea;  or  (which  is  most  apparent) 
of  the  cold  of  the  northern  parts,  which  is  that  which, 
without  aid  of  discipline,  doth  make  the  bodies  hardest, 
and  the  courage  warmest. 

Upon  the  breaking  and  shivering  of  a  great  state  and 
empire,  you  may  be  sure  to  have  wars :  for  great  em- 
pires, while  they  stand,  do  enervate  and  destroy  the 
forces  of  the  natives  which  they  have  subdued,  resting 
upon  their  own  protecting  forces;  and  then,  when  they 
fail  also  all  goes  to  ruin,  and  they  become  a  prey ;  so 
■was  it  in  the  decay  of  the  Roman  empire,  and  likewise 
in  the  empire  of  Almaigne.f  after  Charles  the  Great.t 
every  bird  taking  a  feather;  and  were  not  unlike  to 
befall  to  Spain,  if  it  should  break.  The  great  acces- 
sions and  unions  of  kingdoms  do  likewise  stir  up  wars: 
for  when  a  state  grows  to  an  over-power,  it  is  like  a 
great  flood,  that  will  be  sure  to  overflow ;  as  it  hath 


*  A  belief  in  astrology,  or  at  least  the  influences  of  the  stars, 
was  almost  universal  in.  the  time  of  Bacon, 
t  Qermany.  i  Charlemagne. 


OF  VICISSITUDE  OF  TSINOS.  308 

been  seen  in  the  states  of  Rome,  Turkey,  Spain,  and 
others.  Look  when  the  world  hath  fewest  barbarous 
people,  but  such  as  commonly  will  not  marrj-,  or 
generate,  except  they  know  means  to  live  (as  it  is  al- 
mosl  everywhere  at  this  day,  except  Tartaiy),  there  is 
no  danger  of  inundations  of  people;  but  when  there  be 
great  shoals  of  people,  which  go  on  to  populate,  with- 
out foreseeing  means  of  life  and  sustentation,  it  is  of 
necessity  that  once  in  an  age  or  two  they  discharge  a 
portion  of  their  people  upon  other  nations,  which  the 
ancient  northern  people  were  wont  to  do  by  lot;  casting 
lots  what  part  should  stay  at  home,  and  what  should 
seek  their  fortunes.  When  a  warlike  state  grows  soft 
and  effeminate,  they  may  be  sure  of  a  war :  for  com- 
monly such  states  are  grown  rich  in  the  time  of  their 
degenerating:  and  so  the  prey  iuviteth,  and  their  decay 
in  valor  encourageth  a  war. 

As  for  the  weapons,  it  hardly  falleth  under  rule  and 
observation:  yet  we  see  even  they  have  returns  and 
vicissitudes;  for  certain  it  is,  that  ordnance  was  known 
in  the  city  of  the  Oxidraces,  in  India;  and  was  that 
which  the  Macedonians*  called  thunder  and  lightning, 
and  magic;  and  it  is  well  known  that  tlie  use  of  ord- 
nance hath  been  in  China  above  two  thousand  years. 
The  conditions  of  weapons,  and  their  improvements 
are.  first,  the  fetching!  afar  off;  for  that  outruns  the 
danger,  as  it  is  seen  in  ordnance  and  muskets;  sec- 
ondly, the  strength  of  the  percussion,  wherein  likewise 
ordnance  do  exceed  all  arietations,:f  and  ancient  int  m- 
tions;  the  third   is,  the   commodious  use  of  them    M 


*  When  led  thither  by  Alexander  the  Great. 

t  Striking. 

X  Application  of  the  "  aries,"  or  bactdring-ram. 


906  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

that  may  serve  in  all  -weathers,  that  the  carriage  mny 
be  light  and  manageable,  and  the  like. 

For  the  conduct  of  the  war:  at  the  first,  men  rested 
extremely  upon  number;  they  did  put  the  wars  like- 
wise upon  main  force  and  valor,  pointing  days  foi 
pitched  fields,  and  so  trying  it  out  upon  an  even  match; 
and  they  were  more  ignorant  in  ranging  and  array inj 
their  battles.  After  they  grew  to  rest  upon  number, 
rather  competent  than  vast,  they  grew  to  advantages  of 
place,  cunning  diversions,  and  the  like,  and  they  grew 
more  skilful  in  the  ordering  of  their  battles. 

la  the  youth  of  a  state,  arms  do  flourish;  in  the 
middle  age  of  a  state,  learning;  and  then  both  of  them 
together  for  a  time;  in  the  declining  age  of  a  state, 
mechanical  arts  and  merchandise.  Learning  hath  itrt 
infancy  when  it  is  but  begmning,  and  almost  childish; 
then  its  youth,  when  it  is  luxuriant  and  juvenile;  then 
its  strength  of  years,  when  it  is  solid  and  reduced;  and, 
lastly,  its  old  age,  when  it  waxeth  dry  and  exhaust; 
but  it  is  not  good  to  look  too  long  upon  these  turning 
wheels  of  vicissitude,  lest  we  become  giddy:  as  for  the 
philology  of  them,  that  is  but  a  circle  of  tales,  and 
therefore  not  fit  for  this  writing. 

A  FRAGMENT  OF  AN  ESSAY  OF  FAME.* 

The  poets  make  Fame  a  monster:  they  describe  her 
in  part  finely  and  elegantly,  and  in  part  gravely  and 
sententiously;  they  say.  Look  how  many  feathers  sho 
hath,  so  many  eyes  she  hath  underneath,  so  many 
tongues,  so  many  voices,  she  pricks  up  so  many  ears. 

This  is  a  flourish;  there  follow  excellent  parahlea* 

*  Thia  fragment  was  found  among  Lord  Bacon's  papers,  and 
published  by  Dr.  Rawley. 


A  FRAGMENT  OF  AN  ESSAY  OF  FAME.  207 

as  that  she  gathereth  strength  in  going;  that  she  goeth 
upon  the  ground,  and  j'et  hideth  her  head  in  the 
tlouds;  that  in  the  day-time  she  sittcth  in  a  watch- 
tower,  and  flieth  most  by  night;  that  she  mingletU 
things  done  with  things  not  done;  and  that  she  is  a 
terror  to  great  cities;  but  that  which  passeth  all  the  rest 
is,  tliey  do  recount  tliat  the  earlh,  mother  of  the  giants 
that  made  war  against  Jupiter,  and  were  by  him  des- 
troyed, thereupon  in  nnger  brought  forth  Fame;  foi 
certain  it  is.  that  relxjls,  figured  by  the  giants,  and 
seditious  fames  and  libels  are  but  brothers  and  sisters, 
masculine  and  feminine;  but  now  if  a  man  can  tame 
this  monster,  and  bring  her  to  feed  at  the  hand  and 
govern  her,  and  with  her  fly  other  ravening  fowl,  and 
kill  them,  it  is  somewhat  worth:  but  we  are  infected 
with  the  style  of  the  poets.  To  speak  now  in  a  sad 
and  serious  manner,  there  is  not  in  all  the  politics  a 
place  less  handled,  and  more  worthy  to  be  handled, 
than  this  of  fame.  We  will  therefore  speak  of  these 
points:  what  are  false  fames,  and  what  are  true  fames, 
and  how  they  may  be  best  discerned;  how  fames  may 
be  sown  and  raised;  how  they  may  be  spread  and  mul- 
tiplied; and  how  they  may  be  checked  and  laid  dead; 
and  other  things  concerning  the  nature  of  fame.  Fame 
is  of  that  force,  as  there  is  scarcely  any  great  action 
wherein  it  hath  not  a  great  part,  especially  in  the  war. 
Miicianus  undid  Vitellius  by  a  fame  that  he  scattered, 
th.it  Vitellius  had  in  purpose  to  remove  the  legions  of 
Syria  into  Germany,  and  the  legions  of  Germany  into 
Syria;  whereupon  tlie  legions  of  Syria  were  infinitely 
inflamed.  Julius  Cassar  took  Pompey  unprovided,  and 
laid  asleep  his  industry  and  preparations  by  a  fame 
that  he  cunningly  gave  out,  how  Caesar's  own  soldiers 
loved  him  not;  and  being  wearied  with  the  wars,  and 


906  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

laden  with  the  spoils  of  Gaul,  woulil  forsake  him  as 
soon  as  he  came  into  Italy.  Livia  settled  all  things  for 
tl>e  succession  of  her  son  Tiberius,  by  continually  giv- 
ing out  that  her  husband  Augustus  was  upon  recovery 
and  amendment;  and  it  is  a  usual  thing  with  the  ba- 
sliaws  to  conceal  the  death  of  the  Grand  Turk  from 
tlie  janizaries  and  men  of  war,  to  save  tlie  sacking  of 
Constantinople,  and  other  towns,  as  their  manner  is. 
Themistocles  made  Xerxes,  king  of  Persia,  post  apace 
out  of  Graecia,  by  giving  out  that  tlie  Grecians  had  a 
purpose  to  break  his  bridge  of  ships  which  he  had 
made  athwart  Hellespont.  There  be  a  thousand  such 
like  examples,  and  the  more  they  are,  the  less  they 
need  to  be  repeated,  because  a  man  meeteth  with  them 
everywhere:  therefore  let  all  wise  governors  have  as 
great  a  watch  and  care  over  fames,  as  they  have  of  the 
actions  and  designs  themselves. 

OF  A  KrNG. 

1.  A  KING  is  a  mortal  God  on  earth,  unto  whom  the 
living  God  hath  lent  liis  own  name  as  a  great  honor; 
but  withal  told  him,  he  should  die  like  a  man,  least  he 
should  be  proud  and  flatter  himself,  that  God  hath, 
with  his  name,  imparted  unto  him  his  nature  also. 

3.  Of  all  kind  of  men,  God  is  the  least  beholden  unto 
them;  for  he  doth  most  for  them,  and  they  do,  ordin- 
arily, least  for  him. 

3.  A  king  that  would  not  feel  his  crown  too  heavy 
for  liim,  must  wear  it  every  day;  but  if  he  think  it 
too  light,  he  knoweth  not  of  what  metal  it  is  made. 

4.  He  must  make  religion  tlie  rule  of  government, 
and  not  to  balance  the  scale;  for  he  tliat  castethin  relig- 
ion only  to  make  the  scales  even,  his  own  weight  is  co»- 


OF  A  KINO.  200 

tained  in  those  characters:  "Mene,  mene,  tekel,  uphar 
sin:  He  is  found  too  light,  his  kingdom  shall  be  taken 
from  him." 

5.  And  that  king  that  holds  not  religion  the  best  reason 
of  state,  is  void  of  all  piety  and  justice,  the  supporters 
of  a  king. 

6.  He  must  be  able  to  give  counsel  himself,  but  not 
rely  thereupon;  for  though  happy  events  justify  their 
counsels,  yet  it  is  better  that  the  evil  event  of  good 
advice  be  rather  imputed  to  a  subject  than  a  sov- 
ereign. 

7.  He  is  the  fountain  of  honor,  which  should  not  run 
■with  a  waste-pipe,  least  the  courtiers  sell  the  water,  and 
then,  as  Papists  say  of  their  holy  wells,  it  loses  the 
virtue. 

8.  He  is  the  life  of  the  law,  not  only  as  he  is  Lex- 
loquens  himself,  but  because  he  animateth  the  dead  let- 
ter, making  it  active  towards  all  his  subjects  pi'iErnio 
el  pcena. 

9.  A  wise  king  must  do  less  in  altering  his  laws  than 
he  may;  for  new  government  is  ever  dangerous.  It 
being  true  in  the  body  politic,  as  in  the  corporal,  that 
omnis  subita  immiiMio  est  periculosa;  and  thougli  it  be 
for  the  better,  yet  it  is  not  without  a  fearful  apprehen- 
sion; for  he  that  changeth  the  fundamental  laws  of  a 
kingdom,  thinketh  there  is  no  good  title  to  a  crown, 
but  by  conquest. 

10.  A  king  that  setteth  to  sale  seats  of  justice,  op. 
presseth  the  people;  for  he  teacheth  his  judges  to  sell 
jiistice,  and  pretio  porata  pixtio  tenditur  justitia. 

11.  Bounty  and  magnificence  are  virtues  very  regal, 
but  a  prodigal  king  is  nearer  a  tyrant  than  a  parsimo- 
nious; for  store  at  home  draweth  not  his  contemplations 
abroad,  but  want  supplieth  itself  of  what  is  next,  and 


210  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

many  times  the  next  way.    A  king  therein  must  be 
wise,  and  linow  what  he  may  justly  do. 

12.  That  king  which  is  not  feared,  is  not  loved;  and 
he  that  is  well  seen  in  his  craft,  must  as  well  study 
to  be  feared  as  loved;  yet  not  loved  for  fear,  but  feared 
for  love. 

13.  Therefore,  as  he  must  always  resemble  Him 
■whose  great  name  he  bearelh,  and  that  as  in  manifest- 
ing the  sweet  influence  of  his  mercy  on  the  severe 
stroke  of  his  justice  sometimes,  so  in  this  not  to  suffer 
a  man  of  death  to  live;  for,  besides  that  the  land  doth 
mourn,  the  restraint  of  justice  towards  sin  dotli  more 
retard  the  affection  of  love,  than  tlie  extent  of  mercy 
doth  inflame  it;  and  sure,  where  love  is  [illj  bestowed, 
fear  is  quite  lost. 

14.  His  greatest  enemies  are  his  flatterers;  for  though 
they  ever  speak  on  his  side,  yet  their  words  still  make 
against  him. 

15.  The  love  which  a  king  oweth  to  a  weal  public 
should  not  be  overstrained  to  any  one  particular;  yet 
that  his  more  especial  favor  do  reflect  upon  some  wor- 
thy ones,  is  somewhat  necessary,  because  there  are  few 
of  that  capacity. 

16.  He  must  have  a  special  care  of  five  things,  if 
he  would  not  have  his  crown  to  be  but  to  him  infdix 
felieitas. 

First,  that  simulata  sanctitas  be  not  in  the  church ;  for 
that  is  dupex  iniquitas. 

Secondly,  that  inutilis  cequitas  set  not  in  the  chancery, 
for  that  is  inepta  misei-icordui. 

Thirdly,  that  uttiis  iniquitas  keep  not  the  exchequer; 
for  that  is  crudele  latroctnium. 

Fourthly,  that  fidelis  tcmentan  be  not  his  general,  for 
that  would  bring  but  seram  pcenitentiam. 


ON  DEATH.  211 

Fifthly,  that  infideli^  pi-^tdentia  be  not  his  secretary ; 
for  that  is  anguis  sub  viridi  herba. 

To  conclude:  as  he  is  of  the  greatest  power,  so  he  is 
subject  to  tlie  greatest  cares,  made  the  servant  of  his 
people,  or  else  lie  were  without  a  calling  at  all. 

He,  then,  that  honoreth  him  not  is  next  an  atheist, 
wanting  the  fear  of  God  in  his  heart. 

ON  DEATH. 

1.  I  HAVE  often  thought  upon  death,  and  I  find  it  the 
least  of  all  evils.  All  that  which  is  past  is  as  a  dream ; 
and  he  that  hopes  or  depends  upon  time  coming,  dreams 
waking.  So  much  of  our  life  as  we  have  discovered  is 
alre.-idy  dead;  and  all  those  hours  which  we  share,  even 
from  the  breasts  of  our  mothers,  until  we  return  to  our 
grandmother  the  earth,  are  part  of  our  dying  days, 
whereof  even  this  is  one,  and  those  that  succeed  are  of 
the  same  nature,  for  we  die  daily;  and  as  others  havr 
given  place  to  us,  so  we  must  in  the  end  give  way  t 
others 

2.  Physicians  in  the  name  of  death  include  all  sor 
row,  anguish,  disease,  calamity,  or  whatsoever  can  fall 
in  the  life  of  man,  either  grievous  or  unwelcome.  But 
these  things  are  familiar  unto  us,  and  we  suffer  them 
every  hour;  therefore  we  die  daily,  and  I  am  older  since 
I  affirmed  it. 

3.  I  know  many  wise  men  that  fear  to  die;  for  the 
change  is  bitter,  and  flesh  would  refuse  to  prove  it: 
besides,  the  expectation  brings  terror,  and  that  exceeds 
the  evil.  But  I  do  not  believe  that  any  man  fears  to  bo 
dead,  but  only  the  stroke  of  death;  and  such  are  my 
hopes,  that  if  heaven  be  pleased,  and  nature  renew  but 
my  lease  for  twenty-one  years  more,  without  asking 


212  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

longer  days,  I  shall  be  strong  enough  to  acknowledge 
williout  mourning,  that  I  was  begotten  mortal.  Virtue 
walks  not  in  the  highway,  though  she  go  per  alta;  this 
is  strength  and  the  blood  to  virtue,  to  contemn  things 
that  be  desired,  and  to  neglect  that  which  is  feared. 

4.  Why  should  man  be  in  love  with  his  fetters,  though 
of  gold?  Art  thou  drowned  in  security?  Then  I  say 
thou  art  perfectly  dead.  For  though  thou  movest,  yet 
thy  soul  is  buried  within  thee,  and  thy  good  angel  either 
forsakes  his  guard  or  sleeps.  There  is  nothing  under 
heaven,  saving  a  true  friend  (who  cannot  be  counted 
within  the  number  of  movables),  unto  which  my  heart 
doth  lean.  And  this  dear  freedom  hath  begotten  me 
this  peace,  that  I  mourn  not  for  that  end  which  must 
be,  nor  spend  one  wish  to  have  one  minute  added  to  the 
uncertain  date  of  my  years.  It  was  no  mean  appre- 
hension of  Lucian,  who  says  of  Menippus,  that  in  his 
travels  through  hell,  he  knew  not  the  kings  of  the  earth 
from  tlie  other  men  but  only  by  their  louder  cryings  and 
tears,  which  were  fostered  in  them  through  the  remorse- 
ful memory  of  the  good  days  they  had  seen,  and  the 
fruitful  havings  which  they  so  unwillingly  left  behind 
them:  he  that  was  well  seated,  looked  back  at  his  portion, 
and  was  loth  to  forsake  his  farm;  and  others,  either 
minding  marriages,  pleasures,  profit  or  preferment,  de- 
sired to  be  excused  from  death's  banquet:  they  had 
made  an  appointment  with  earth,  looking  at  the  bless- 
ings, not  the  hand  that  enlarged  them,  forgetting  how 
unclothedly  they  came  hither,  or  with  what  naked  orna- 
ments they  were  arrayed. 

5.  But  were  we  servants  of  the  precept  given,  and 
observere  of  the  heathens'  rule,  memento  mori,  and  not 
l^ecome  benighted  witli  tliis  seeming  felicity,  we  should 
enjoy  it  as  men  prepared  to  lose,  and  not  wind  up  our 


ON  DEATH.  818 

thoughts  upon  so  perishing  a  fortune:  he  that  is  not 
slackly  strong  (as  the  servants  of  pleasiire),  how  can  he 
be  found  unready  to  quit  the  veil  and  false  visage  of 
his  perfection?  The  soul  having  shaken  off  her  flesh, 
doth  then  set  up  for  herself,  and  contemning  things 
that  are  under,  shows  what  finger  hath  enforced  her; 
for  the  souls  of  idiots  are  of  the  same  piece  with  those 
of  statesman,  but  now  and  then  nature  is  at  a  fault,  and 
this  good  guest  of  ours  takes  soil  in  an  imperfect  body, 
and  so  is  slackened  from  showing  her  wonders,  like  an 
escellent  musician  which  cannot  utter  himself  upon  a 
defective  instrument. 

6.  But  see  how  I  am  swerved,  and  lose  my  course, 
touching  at  the  soul  that  doth  least  hold  action  with 
death,  who  hath  the  surest  property  in  this  frail  act; 
his  style  is  the  end  of  all  flesh,  and  the  beginning  of 
incorruption. 

This  ruler  of  monuments  leads  men  for  the  most  part 
out  of  this  world  with  iheir  heels  forward,  in  token  that 
he  is  contrary  to  life,  which  being  obtained,  sends  men 
headlong  into  this  wretched  theatre,  where  being  ar- 
rived, their  first  language  is  that  of  mourning.  Nor  in 
my  own  thoughts,  can  I  compare  men  more  fitly  to  any- 
thing than  to  the  Indian  fig-tree,  which,  being  ripened 
to  his  full  heignt,  is  said  to  decline  his  branches  down 
to  the  earth,  whereof  she  conceives  again,  and  they  be- 
come roots  in  their  own  stock. 

So  man,  having  derived  his  l)eing  from  the  earth,  first 
lives  tlie  life  of  a  tree,  drawing  his  nourishment  as  a 
plant,  and  made  ripe  for  earth,  he  tends  downwards, 
iind  is  sowed  again  in  his  mother  the  earth,  where  he 
l>erislieth  not,  but  expects  a  quickening. 

7.  So  we  see  death  e.xempts  not  a  man  from  being, 
but  only  presents  an  alteration ;  yet  there  are  some  men 


2U  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

(I  tliink)  that  stand  otherwise  persuaded.  Death  finds 
not  a  worse  friend  than  an  alderman,  to  whose  door  1 
never  knew  him  welcome;  but  he  is  an  importunato 
guest,  and  will  not  be  said  nay. 

And  though  they  themselves  shall  affirm  that  they 
are  not  within,  yet  the  answer  will  not  be  taken;  and 
that  which  heightens  their  fear  is,  that  they  know 
they  are  in  danger  to  forfeit  their  flesh,  but  are  not 
wise  of  the  payment-day,  which  sickly  uncertainty  is 
the  occasion  that  (for  the  most  part)  they  step  out  of 
this  world  unfurnished  for  their  general  account,  and 
being  all  unprovided,  desire  yet  to  hold  their  gravity, 
preparing  their  souls  to  answer  in  scarlet. 

Thus  I  gather,  that  death  is  unagreeable  to  most 
ciiizens,  because  they  commonly  die  intestate;  this 
being  a  rule,  that  when  their  will  is  made,  they  think 
themselves  nearer  a  grave  than  before:  now  they,  out 
of  the  wisdoms  of  thousands,  think  to  scare  destiny, 
from  which  there  is  no  appeal,  by  not  making  a  will, 
or  to  live  longer  bj'  protestation  of  Iheir  unwillingness 
to  die.  They  are  for  the  most  part  w-ell  made  in  this 
world  (accounting  their  treasure  by  legions,  as  men  do 
devils):  their  fortune  looks  toward  them,  and  they 
are  willing  to  anchor  at  it,  and  desire  (if  it  be  possible) 
to  put  the  evil  day  far  off  from  them,  and  to  adjourn 
their  ungrateful  and  killing  period. 

No,  these  are  not  tlje  men  which  have  bespoken 
death,  or  whose  looks  are  assured  to  entertain  a  thought 
of  him. 

8.  Death  arrives  gracious  only  to  such  as  sit  in  dark- 
ness, or  lie  heavy  burthened  with  grief  and  irons;  to 
the  poor  Chrislian,  that  sits  bound  in  the  galley;  to 
despairful  widows,  pensive  prisoners,  and  deposed 
kings;  to  them  whose  fortune   riiu.s  back,  and  whose 


ON  DEATH.  215 

spirits  mutiny:  unto  such  death  is  a  redeemer,  and  the 
grave  a  place  for  retiredness  and  rest. 

These  wait  upon  the  shore  of  death,  and  waft  unto 
him  to  draw  near,  wishing  above  all  others  to  see  his 
star,  that  they  might  be  led  to  his  place;  wooing  the 
remorseless  sisters  to  wind  down  the  watch  of  their 
life,  and  to  break  them  off  before  the  hour. 

9.  But  death  is  a  doleful  messenger  to  a  usurer,  and 
fate  untimely  cuts  their  thread  ;  for  it  is  never  men- 
tioned by  him,  but  when  rumors  of  war,  and  civil  tu- 
mults put  him  in  mind  thereof. 

And  when  many  hands  are  armed,  and  the  peace  of 
a  city  in  disorder,  and  the  foot  of  the  common  soldiers 
sounds  an  alarm  on  his  stairs,  then  perhaps  such  a  one 
(l)roken  in  thouglits  of  his  moneys  abroad,  and  cursing 
the  monuments  of  coin  which  are  in  his  house)  can  be 
content  to  think  of  death,  and  (being  hast}'  of  perdi- 
tion) will  perhaps  hang  himself,  lest  his  throat  should 
be  cut;  provided  that  he  may  do  it  in  his  study,  sur-v 
rounded  with  wealth,  to  which  his  ej'e  sends  a  faint 
and  languishing  salute,  even  upon  the  turning  off; 
remembering  alwaj'S,  that  he  have  time  and  liberty, 
by  writing,  to  depute  himself  as  his  own  heir. 

For  that  is  a  great  peace  to  his  end,  and  reconciles 
him  wonderfully  upon  the  point. 

10.  Herein  we  all  dally  with  ourselves,  and  are  with- 
out proof  of  necessity.  I  am  not  of  those,  that  dare 
promise  to  pine  away  myself  in  vain  glory,  and  I  hold 
such  to  be  but  feat  boldness,  and  them  that  dare  com- 
mit it,  to  be  vain.  Yet  for  my  part,  1  think  nature 
should  do  me  great  wrong,  if  I  should  be  so  long  in 
dying,  as  I  was  in  being  born. 

To  speak  truth,  no  man  knows  the  lists  of  his  own 
patience;  nor  can  divine  how  able  he  shall  be  in  his 


216  BACON'S  ESSAYS. 

sufferings,  till  the  storm  corae  (the  pcrfectest  virtue 
being  tried  in  action):  but  I  would  (oiit  of  a  care  to 
do  the  best  business  well)  ever  keep  a  guard,  and  stand 
upon  keeping  faith  and  a  good  conscience. 

11.  And  if  wishes  might  find  place,  I  would  die  to- 
gether, and  not  my  mind  often,  and  my  body  once; 
that  is,  I  would  prepare  for  the  messengers  of  death, 
sickness  and  affliction,  and  not  wait  long,  or  be  at- 
tempted by  the  violence  of  pain. 

Herein  I  do  not  profess  myself  a  Stoic,  to  hold  grief 
no  evil,  but  opinion,  and  a  thing  indifferent. 

But  I  consent  with  Cfesar,  that  the  suddenest  pas- 
sage is  easiest,  and  there  is  nothing  more  awakens  our 
resolve  and  readiness  to  die  than  the  quieted  conscience, 
strengthened  with  opinion,  that  we  shall  be  well  spoken 
of  upon  earth  by  those  that  are  just,  and  of  the  family 
of  virtue;  the  opposite  whereof  is  a  fury  to  man,  and 
makes  even  life  unsweet. 

Therefore,  what  is  more  heavy  than  evil  i  xmc  de. 
served?  Or  likewise,  who  can  see  worse  days,  than 
be  that  yet  living  doth  follow  at  the  funerals  of  his  own 
reputation  ? 

I  have  laid  up  many  hopes,  that  I  am  privileged  from 
that  kind  of  mourning,  and  could  wish  the  like  peace 
to  all  those  with  whom  I  wage  love. 

12.  I  might  say  much  of  the  commodities  that  death 
can  sell  a  man ;  but  briefly,  death  is  a  friend  of  ours  ; 
and  he  that  is  not  ready  to  entertain  him,  is  not  at 
home.  Whilst  I  am,  my  ambition  is  not  to  fore-flow 
the  tide  ;  I  have  but  so  to  make  my  interest  of  it  as  I 
may  account  for  it ;  I  would  wish  nothing  but  what 
might  better  my  days,  nor  desire  any  greater  place 
than  the  front  of  good  opinion.  I  make  not  love  to 
the  continuance  of  daj's,  but  to  the  goodness  of  them,- 


02i  DEATH.  217 

nor  wish  to  die,  but  refer  myself  to  my  liour,  which 
the  great  dispenser  of  all  things  liath  appointed  me  ; 
yet  as  I  am  fniii  and  suffered  for  the  first  fault,  were 
it  given  me  to  choose,  I  should  not  be  earnest  to  see  the 
evening  of  my  age;  that  extremity  of  itself  being  a 
disease,  and  a  mere  return  into  infancy:  so  that  if  per- 
])etnity  of  life  might  be  given  me,  I  should  think  what 
the  Greek  poet  said,  "  Such  an  age  is  a  mortal  evil." 
And  since  I  must  needs  be  dead,  I  require  it  may  not 
be  done  before  mine  enemies,  that  I  be  not  stript  before 
I  be  cold  ;  but  before  my  friends.  The  night  was  even 
now :  but  that  name  is  lost ;  it  is  not  now  late,  but 
early.  Mine  eyes  begin  to  discharge  their  watch,  and 
compound  with  this  fleshly  weakness  for  a  time  of  per- 
petual rest;  and  I  shall  presently  be  as  happy  for  a 
f«w  hours,  as  I  had  died  the  first  hour  I  was  born. 


A     000  123  525 


